[Transvaginal sonography and transabdominal sonography in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tubal: a comparative study in 38 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) and transabdominal sonography (TAS) in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy occurring in the fallopian tubal.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube were examined by TAS with moderately filled bladder, followed by reexamination with TVS with the bladder emptied. The manifestations in the 2 imaging examinations were compared.

RESULTS

TVS showed masses in 38, gestations in 23, heart beat in 10, pelvis fluid in 16 and circular blood signal in 25 cases respectively, while TAS identified masses in 30, gestations in 13, heart beat in 5, pelvis fluid in 14 and circular blood flow signal in 13 cases.

CONCLUSION

TVS may offer an earlier, clearer and more exact diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube than TAS is capable of.