Objective: Preliminary evaluation of three-dimensional (3D) imaging for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
Study design: Twelve asymptomatic patients before six weeks of amenorrhea and with no feature of intrauterine nor of ectopic pregnancy at traditional bidimensional ultrasonography were considered. Laparoscopy showed ectopic pregnancy in 9 cases.
Results: 3D transvaginal ultrasonography preceding laparoscopy showed small ectopic gestational sac in 4 cases. Moreover the fallopian tube on the side of ectopic pregnancy could be imaged in all cases. This was possible because the fallopian tube was surrounded by a fine hypoechogenic border, an apparently specific feature which had not been reported previously.
Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that 3D ultrasonography is an effective procedure for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in asymptomatic patients before six weeks of amenorrhea.