Accuracy Of Ultrasonography In The Diagnosis Of Early Pregnancy Complications

Abstract

The total number of gynaecological emergencies that were scanned was 700, and early pregnancy related conditions among them were 378, giving an incidence of 54.0%.
The highest number of patients 175 (46.3%) was seen in the 21-35 years age group, followed by 36-50 years age group 124 (32.8%), which are the active and productive period in the female reproductive life.
Threatened abortion accounted for the highest number of patients with 154 patients (40.8%), followed by incomplete abortion with 78 patients (20.6%), complete abortion 46 (12.2%), missed abortion 36 (9.5%), ectopic pregnancy 36 (9.5%), and hydatidiform mole 28 (7.4%).
Correlation of the final diagnoses with ultrasound diagnosis i.e. accuracy of ultrasound scan was very high, which showed that ultrasound scan is a valuable tool in making early diagnosis and important in the institution of appropriate management in cases of early pregnancy related gynaecological emergencies, which is the hallmark of success.
We recommend that 24 hours ultrasound scanning service should be made available in centers that manage early pregnancy related gynaecological emergencies, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality from these cases.


Keywords: Early pregnancy related conditions, Gynaecological emergencies, Ultrasound, Tests of validity

Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 11 (3) 2008: pp. 75-79