Comparison of tubal ring and corpus luteum echogenicities: a useful differentiating characteristic.

The purpose of this report is to compare the echogenicity of the tubal ring of an ectopic pregnancy and the corpus luteum with that of the ovary for improved detection of early ectopic pregnancy. In patients with ectopic pregnancy diagnosed at sonography on the basis of the presence of an adnexal tubal ring, echogenicity of the ring was compared with the echogenicity of the ovarian parenchyma. Twenty-six patients with tubal rings containing either a yolk sac or cardiac activity were included. Twenty-three (88%) of the 26 tubal rings had echogenicity equal to or greater than that of ovarian parenchyma. In 13 patients with ectopic pregnancy diagnosed on the basis of an empty tubal ring, 10 rings (77%) were more echogenic than the ovary. In 45 control patients with intrauterine pregnancy, the corpus luteum was more echogenic than the ovary in only 3 (7%). The tubal ring of an ectopic pregnancy is usually more echogenic than ovarian parenchyma, and the corpus luteum is usually equal to or less echogenic than the ovary. Echogenicity of an adnexal mass may help distinguish the tubal ring of an ectopic pregnancy from a corpus luteum.     

Sonographic comparison of the tubal ring of ectopic pregnancy with the corpus luteum.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnant patients without a sonographically visible intrauterine pregnancy and with a thick-walled cystic adnexal structure present a dilemma. This study compared the utility of various sonographic features in differentiating between the tubal ring of ectopic pregnancy and the corpus luteum. METHODS: Retrospective review of first-trimester transvaginal sonograms revealed a cystic adnexal structure in 79 women. Each structure was evaluated for 6 specific sonographic characteristics: echogenicity of its wall compared with that of the ovary and endometrium, wall thickness in 2 planes, color Doppler flow distribution and percentage of wall circumference, and internal texture. RESULTS: Forty-one (52%) of the 79 women had ectopic pregnancies, and 38 (48%) had corpora lutea. Eleven (32%) of 35 ectopic walls were more echogenic than the endometrium, compared with none of the corpora lutea. A cyst wall less echogenic than the endometrium was more likely in corpora lutea (84% versus 31%; P < .0001). More than twice as many ectopic rinds were more echogenic than ovarian tissue compared with corpora lutea (76% versus 34%; P < .0001). The only predictive internal texture feature was a clear pattern, which was more common in the corpora lutea (P < .01, Fisher exact test). There was no significant difference in mural flow distribution or extent between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ancillary sonographic signs to distinguish between an ectopic pregnancy and a corpus luteum include decreased wall echogenicity compared with the endometrium and an anechoic texture, which suggests a corpus luteum.     

Ectopic pregnancy versus corpus luteum cyst revisited: best Doppler predictors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the best Doppler values for differentiating ectopic pregnancy from a corpus luteum cyst of pregnancy. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 80 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. All ectopic pregnancies were diagnosed on the basis of the presence of an extra-ovarian adnexal mass on sonography and were confirmed surgically. The last menstrual period ranged from 4 to 11 weeks (mean, 6.3 weeks), and the maximal ectopic pregnancy diameter ranged from 0.7 to 5.5 cm (mean, 2.5 cm). Seventy-six ectopic pregnancies showed color vascularity, and 40 showed corpus luteum cysts with vascular walls. The highest peak systolic velocity and the lowest resistive index of the vascular ectopic pregnancies were compared with the corresponding values in the vascular corpus luteum cysts. RESULTS: The mean peak systolic velocity of the ectopic pregnancies was 35.4 cm/s compared with 28.4 cm/s in corpus luteum cysts, with no significant statistical difference (P = .1). The resistive index of the ectopic pregnancies ranged from 0.15 to 1.6 (mean +/- SD, 0.61 +/- 0.24) compared with 0.39 to 0.7 (mean, 0.52 +/- 0.10) in corpus luteum cysts, with a significant statistical difference (P = .003). In this cohort, a resistive index of less than 0.39 had a specificity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 100% for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy but was present in only 15% (confidence interval, 7%-23%) of ectopic pregnancies. A resistive index of greater than 0.7 had a specificity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 100% for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy and was present in 31% (confidence interval, 21%-41%) of ectopic pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Both low and high resistive indices discriminate ectopic pregnancy from a corpus luteum cyst.     

彩色多普勒超声对输卵管妊娠未破型与妊娠黄体的鉴别诊断

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声对输卵管妊娠未破型包块与妊娠黄体的鉴别诊断价值。方法回顾分析经手术病理证实的60例输卵管妊娠未破型包块和60例经临床证实的宫内孕或异位妊娠黄体,比较其大小、形态、内部回声、血流分布、收缩期峰值速度及阻力指数。结果60例未破型输卵管妊娠包块与60例妊娠黄体的形态分型、内部回声、血流特征、收缩期峰值速度及阻力指数比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,但包块大小比较差异无统计学意义。结论彩色多普勒超声对输卵管妊娠未破型包块与妊娠黄体的鉴别有重要价值。     

输卵管妊娠腹腔镜保守性手术后持续性异位妊娠的临床分析

目的总结输卵管妊娠腹腔镜保守性手术后持续性异位妊娠(PEP)的发生原因及预防和处理措施。方法回顾性分析我院2008年1月至2010年8月因输卵管妊娠而行腹腔镜保守性手术的患者425例。根据术后是否发生持续性异位妊娠分A组(正常组)和B组(PEP组),比较两组术前、术中及术后的情况。结果术后发生持续性异位妊娠15例(3.53%);术前血人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)水平、输卵管妊娠部位、黄体是否剥除,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 术前血HCG水平、输卵管妊娠部位及黄体是否剥除均与PEP的发生密切相关,术中和术后采用各种预防措施可减少其发生率。     

阴道三维能量多普勒超声检测妊娠黄体血流对异位妊娠的诊断价值

目的 应用阴道三维能量多普勒超声对异位妊娠黄体和宫内妊娠黄体进行对比分析.方法 临床拟诊宫外孕患者30例,手术前行阴道超声检查.使用三维能量多普勒超声观察异位妊娠黄体血流分布,并对同期31例宫内妊娠黄体进行观察.采集三维能量多普勒血流图并测量相应的血管参数:血管形成指数(VI)、血流指数(FI)、血管形成-血流指数(VFI).比较异位妊娠黄体与宫内妊娠黄体血流分布及血管参数差异,评价其在异位妊娠鉴别诊断中的意义.结果 异位妊娠黄体血流信号低于宫内妊娠黄体,异位妊娠黄体血管参数VI、VFI值低于宫内妊娠黄体,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),异位妊娠黄体FI值低于宫内妊娠黄体,但无统计学差异.结论 阴道三维能量多普勒超声检测妊娠黄体血流信息,可为异位妊娠的诊断提供有价值信息.     

Various sonographic appearances of the hemorrhagic corpus luteum cyst

Although hemorrhagic corpus luteum cysts are frequently seen during sonography of the female pelvis, their diagnosis is often challenging as a result of variations in size, thickness of the cyst wall, and internal echo pattern depending on the formation and lysis of the clot. There are cases in which hemoperitoneum is the most obvious finding. The differential diagnosis is extensive and includes ectopic pregnancy, adnexal torsion, neoplasm, and pelvic inflammatory disease. This review describes and illustrates the diverse appearances of the hemorrhagic corpus luteum, as well as other etiologies of adnexal pathology that can mimic the appearance of a hemorrhagic corpus luteum sonographically.     

Corpus luteum blood flow in normal and abnormal early pregnancy: evaluation with transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler sonography.

One hundred and thirteen (66.5%) women in this study had a normal intrauterine pregnancy with ages ranging 6 to 12 weeks of gestation. Fifty-seven (33.5%) patients were admitted to the hospital owing to clinically suspected abnormal early pregnancy. Dilatation and curettage were done on all women and tissue sample sent to the pathologist for a final diagnostic. Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made on laparoscopy. Both ovaries were examined carefully by color Doppler in sonography in all patients. Color flow was used as a guide for pulsed Doppler exploration. Corpus luteum blood flow was defined as random, usually semilunar in appearance, dispersed vessels with very low impedance to blood flow. The resistive index and pulsatility index were calculated. Overall detection rate of corpus luteum blood flow in normal pregnancies was higher for the left ovary (62.6%) than for the right ovary (37.4%) (P < 0.01). The mean resistive and pulsatility indices from corpus luteum blood flow were not influenced by gestational age in normal pregnancy. The overall mean value for for resistive index was 0.452 +/- 0.04 and for pulsatility index 0.636 +/- 0.09. The overall detection rate of corpus luteum in abnormal pregnancies also was higher for the left ovary (56.7%) than for the right ovary (43.4%) (P < 0.01). The mean resistive indices from corpus luteum blood flow in patients with missed abortion was higher than in women with normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). Both resistive and pulsatility indices were higher in patients with incomplete or threatened abortion in comparison with normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was seen in the case of anembryonic, molar, or ectopic pregnancy.     

Ectopic pregnancy: transvaginal color Doppler of trophoblastic flow in questionable adnexa.

The purpose of this study was to see if color flow Doppler measurements could aid in the positive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy when no gestational sac can be seen in the adnexa. We examined 148 women with abdominal pain and suspected ectopic pregnancy by abdominal ultrasonography, followed by vaginal ultrasonography and color Doppler when the diagnosis was still uncertain. Seventy-three patients proved to have ectopic pregnancies. Color flow with low resistance and high velocity vascular signals were observed in complex adnexal masses and in some of the corpora lutea. The resistance index for ectopic trophoblast was 0.36 +/- 0.02 SD. Color Doppler had both positive and negative discrimination of adnexal masses (P = 10(-15). The resistance index for the corpora lutea was 0.48 +/- 0.04. A cutoff value of 0.40 or less is proposed as a diagnostic index for suspected trophoblast in the adnexa. In nine cases of ectopic pregnancy, no color flow was noted. In these women, the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level was less than 1000 mIU/ml. The clinical operative suspicion in these cases was tubal abortion. Sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 97%, respectively, in this highly selective series. Positive and negative predictive values were 97% and 89%. Color Doppler appears to be useful for the positive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy with ultrasonography when no adnexal gestational sac is observed. Prospective randomized trials will determine the ultimate clinical value of these findings.     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声对输卵管妊娠中妊娠黄体的临床研究

目的探讨妊娠黄体在超声诊断输卵管妊娠(TP)中的临床意义。方法临床拟诊宫外孕患者50例,于术前行经阴道超声(TVS)检查。在确定TP包块的同时,对妊娠黄体进行观察,CDFI显示双侧子宫动脉输卵管支血流,检测收缩期最大流速(PSV)、舒张末期流速(EDV)、平均流速(TAmax)、搏动指数(PI)及阻力指数(RI),并进行统计学处理。结果在确诊为TP的40例中,超声诊断符合38例。妊娠黄体的声像图表现可分为:薄壁囊肿型、薄壁囊肿内部光点型、厚壁囊肿型、实质低回声型四种类型。超声显示妊娠黄体38例(95.0%),黄体与TP同侧33例(86.8%);与TP非同侧5例(13.2%)。黄体与TP同侧时,患侧输卵管动脉血流EDV、TAmax明显高于健侧,PI、RI则明显低于健侧(P<0.05),PSV双侧无统计学差异(P>0.05);黄体与TP非同侧时,双侧血流参数均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论妊娠黄体在超声诊断早期TP时具有重要的定位作用。     

The Ability of a Single Serum Progesterone Value to Identify Abnormal Pregnancies in Patients with Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Values Less than 1,000 mlU/mL

Objective : To determine the test performance of a single serum progesterone value <5.0 ng/mL for detecting ectopic pregnancy or other abnormal pregnancies in symptomatic ED patients with β-hCG levels Methods : A prospective study of progesterone levels was performed in consecutive ED patients presenting to an urban teaching hospital from December 1995 to March 1997 with abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding, a positive qualitative 3-hCG, and a quantitative β-hCG value Results : 127 patients met eligibility criteria. 39 patients were excluded, leaving a total of 88 enrolled patients. 76 patients with abnormal pregnancies were identified [9 ectopic pregnancies, 62 abnormal intrauterine pregnancies (IUPs), 5 abnormal IUPs vs ectopic pregnancies], 71 of whom had progesterone values <5.0 ng/mL [sensitivity 71/76 (94%), 95% CI 86–98%]. 12 patients with normal pregnancies were identified, all of whom had progesterone values ≥5.0 ng/mL [specificity 12/12 (100%), 95% CI 78–100%].
Conclusion : A single progesterone value <5.0 ng/mL has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting abnormal pregnancy in symptomatic ED patients with β-hCG values < 1,000 mlU/mL. Key words: progesterone; ectopic pregnancy; tubal pregnancy; intrauterine pregnancy; ultrasound; diagnosis.     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声对妊娠黄体的检测价值探讨

目的　通过经阴道彩色多普勒超声对妊娠黄体的检测 ,探讨其对于诊断早期妊娠及评估预后的价值。方法　正常早孕组 5 0例 ,先兆流产组 4 5例 ,胚囊型宫外孕组 8例 ,分为三组。分别观测妊娠黄体形态、血供分布、血流动力学参数 ,追踪回访 ,作回顾性统计学处理分析。结果　三组妊娠黄体回声类型无显著统计学差异 ;正常早孕组血供丰富 ,呈中速低阻连续型 [PSV(32 .6± 6 .4 ) cm/ s、RI0 .4 6± 0 .0 5 ],先兆流产组血供欠丰富甚或缺如 ,频谱阻力指数偏高 (RI0 .5 7± 0 .0 3) ,宫外孕胚囊型组介于两者之间 (RI0 .5 0± 0 .0 3) ,有统计学差异 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论　通过彩色多普勒超声检测妊娠黄体的功能状态对于早期妊娠的鉴别诊断及预后的估测有重大意义。     

卵巢黄体囊肿破裂75 例临床分析

目的：探讨卵巢黄体囊肿破裂的临床特征和治疗方案。方法：对75例卵巢黄体囊肿破裂临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果：75例均发生于卵巢功能旺盛时期,均以突发性下腹痛为主要症状,5l例以右下腹痛为主,43例伴阴道流血,后穹隆穿刺或腹腔穿刺均抽出不凝血液。入院诊断为黄体囊肿破裂65例,腹痛原因待查10例。73例经手术病理证实为黄体囊肿破裂;2例经临床分析诊断为卵巢黄体囊肿破裂,保守治疗而愈。结论：卵巢黄体囊肿破裂既可发生于月经黄体,又发生于妊娠黄体,以右侧卵巢多见,临床应注意与阑尾炎、异位妊娠破裂及卵巢肿瘤蒂扭转鉴别。     

Serum biochemistry correlates with the size of tubal ectopic pregnancy on sonography.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is a correlation between serum biochemistry (human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), CA 125, progesterone and estradiol) and the common sonographic findings (blob sign, bagel sign or extrauterine gestational sac with cardiac activity) or size of a tubal ectopic pregnancy, and whether there is a difference in serum biochemistry between women with a tubal ectopic pregnancy who are hemodynamically unstable (tachycardia, hypotension, falling hemoglobin levels and/or acute severe abdominal pain) and those who are hemodynamically stable. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 106 women with a tubal ectopic pregnancy. We noted transvaginal ultrasound examination findings including adnexal mass size, and the serum levels of hCG, CA 125, progesterone and estradiol. The data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean maternal and gestational ages were 30.7+/-5.7 years and 44+/-4.2 days, respectively. There was no correlation between serum markers and common sonographic findings. However, in the presence of the bagel sign on ultrasound, hemodynamic stability was more common (P=0.03). The mean serum hCG concentrations in tubal ectopic pregnancies<20 mm, 20-40 mm and >40 mm in size were 2225.3+/-3166.9, 4124.8+/-6121.4, and 11 011.8+/-12 670.1 IU/mL, respectively (P<0.001). Serum hCG, CA 125 and estradiol values were well correlated with adnexal mass size; for CA 125 this correlation was linear. There was no difference in serum biochemistry between hemodynamically stable and hemodynamically unstable women. CONCLUSION: Common sonographic findings of tubal ectopic pregnancy do not correlate with serum biochemistry. High levels of CA 125, hCG or estradiol may suggest a larger adnexal mass in women with uncomplicated tubal pregnancies. Hemodynamically stable and hemodynamically unstable women do not differ in their serum biochemistry.     

Effect of smoking on pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, free β-human chorionic gonadotropin, and nuchal translucency in the first trimester of pregnancy

Data were collected from 1275 pregnant Turkish women screened prospectively for chromosomal anomalies to determine whether first-trimester levels of maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and the thickness of nuchal translucency are affected by smoking and other covariables. Only normal singleton pregnancies were included. After weight correction, comparisons were made between smokers and nonsmokers. Mean values of PAPP-A and β-hCG were reduced in women who smoked 5 or more cigarettes a day compared with nonsmokers. The median β-hCG level decreased significantly as gravidity and parity increased; no effect was noted on PAPP-A. Median PAPP-A and β-hCG levels tended to increase, but not significantly in women who had had 2 or more miscarriages. Smoking alters maternal levels of serum analytes, with the magnitude of the impact related to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. This effect can be detected in the first trimester of pregnancy.     

Cysts in pregnancy discovered by sonography

The incidence of cysts in pregnancy was established with ultrasound. In 3,330 pregnant patients who underwent sonography, 38 adnexal cystic lesions (1.14%) were found. All but two cysts were discovered before 16 weeks. Follow-up showed that the majority of the cystic lesions resolved spontaneously; these were presumed to represent corpus luteum cysts. Five patients underwent surgery because of persistent cystic lesions; a mucinous cystadenoma, a benign cystic teratoma, a paraovarian cyst, an inclusion cyst, and a tuboovarian abscess were found. Septations and echogenic material were seen within the cystic teratoma and the tuboovarian abscess but the sonographic features of the other operated lesions were identical to those seen in the corpus luteum cysts.     

Vascularity of gastric carcinoma: evaluation using color Doppler ultrasonography

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascularity of primary gastric cancer lesions using color Doppler ultrasonography.Methods We used color Doppler ultrasonography to study 78 patients with gastric cancer detected on B-mode ultrasonographic examination and 14 patients without gastric tumors but with a slightly thickened gastric wall that was also detected on B-mode ultrasound. The color Doppler signals of the gastric lesions were graded as (–), no color signals; (+), slight increase in number of color signals; and (++), an obvious increase in number of color signals. The vessel area outside the tumor area in the microscopic pathological specimens was also calculated.Results The color signals of 13 (18%) of the 71 gastric cancer patients were graded (–); those of 14 (20%) patients were graded (+); and those of 44 (62%) patients were graded (++). The color signals for 9 (65%) of 14 patients without gastric tumors were graded (–); those of 4 (28%) patients were graded (+), and those of 1 patient (7%) were graded (++). These differences were significant (P = 0.0002). The vessel count ratio in the microscopic pathologic specimens was also significantly higher in patients with an increased number of color signals than in those without an increased number of color signals (P = 0.002).Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasound showed increased vascularity in the gastric cancers in most of the subjects (82%, 58/71). Furthermore, color Doppler ultrasound also showed no increase in vascularity in most subjects (65%, 9/14) whose B-mode ultrasonograms showed thickened gastric walls but who did not have gastric cancer. Thus, color Doppler imaging may prove useful as a screening modality for gastric cancer.     

Heterotopic pregnancy following intrauterine insemination: successful management with salpingectomy and continuation of intrauterine pregnancy

We report the first case of a heterotopic pregnancy (HP) following ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) with resultant normal intrauterine pregnancy after salpingectomy. A 41-year-old para 0 +0 that presented with primary infertility due to azoospermia and polycystic ovaries after laparoscopic evaluation. She had induction of ovulation with Clomiphene citrate, gonadotropin stimulation (hCG), and intrauterine insemination using donor sperm. The resulting pregnancy was later diagnosed as heterotopic pregnancy following rupture of the tubal component at 8 weeks' gestation after an initial misdiagnosis as corpus luteum cyst of pregnancy. She had an emergency laparotomy and left salpingectomy, and the intrauterine pregnancy has continued subsequently to 25 weeks of gestation as at 01/04/2011.This report demonstrates that HP may occur after ovulation induction and IUI. The ectopic component could be misdiagnosed as corpus luteum cyst. It is recommended that pregnancies following this procedure be followed up with serial trans-vaginal ultrasound in the first trimester. Presence of corpus luteum cyst of pregnancy in early ultrasound should be an index of suspicious of a possible heterotopic pregnancy. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention is essential to salvage the intrauterine pregnancy and avoid maternal morbidity and mortality.     

异位妊娠的超声诊断及鉴别诊断

探讨了不同类型异位妊娠(EP)的超声表现和鉴别诊断,其中着重讨论了卵巢黄体囊肿与异位妊娠孕囊的鉴别诊断;宫腔及内膜超声表现预测异位妊娠的价值。探讨了各种超声新技术的比较优势,结果经阴道超声(TVS)结合彩色多普勒能量图(CDPI)被认为是诊断异位妊娠特异且敏感的方法,三维、四维超声及超声造影技术则更多应用于罕见部位的妊娠诊断,被认为较传统的二维超声更具优势。     

Echogenic adnexal masses associated with first-trimester pregnancy: sonographic appearance and clinical significance

In a retrospective survey of a large obstetrical ultrasound experience, 10 echogenic adnexal masses in nine patients with a coexistent intrauterine pregnancy were detected and analyzed. Definitive follow-up data available for seven of the nine patients disclosed three ovarian teratomas, two hemorrhagic corpus luteum cysts, one endometrioma, one inflammatory mass, and one colonic pseudomass. In one additional patient, an echogenic ectopic pregnancy with an intrauterine pseudogestational sac simulated the above entities. Conservative management with follow-up sonography is generally indicated for echogenic masses coexistent with first-trimester intrauterine pregnancies.