[Ovarian pregnancies: revaluation of diagnostic criteria]

To clarify the clinical features of ovarian pregnancy and to show the incapacity of Spielberg's criteria to establish the diagnosis.

and method. Retrospective experience of ovarian pregnancies in a single maternity unit over seven years with comparison between new diagnostic criteria and those of Spiegelberg.

Thirteen ovarian pregnancies identified (incidence=1 for 1400 deliveries). History of pelvic disease (one case), use of an IUCD (five cases), pelvic pain (all the cases), metrorrhagia (four cases), hemorrhagic shock (two cases). Diagnosis was evoked only once by ultrasound. Eleven patients were treated by laparoscopy. None of the ovarian pregnancies in the present series met the criteria of Spiegelberg's definition.

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy, but its incidence is certainly underestimated. Search for difficult to detect ultrasonographic features is essential. Criteria, other than those described by Spiegelberg, when present together confirm ovarian pregnancy: serum beta-hCG level > or = 1000 IU/l and uterine vacuity at vaginal ultrasonography; ovarian implication confirmed by surgical exploration, with bleeding, visualisation of chorionic villi or presence of an atypical cyst on the ovary; normal tubes; absence of serum beta-hCG after treatment of the ovary. Ovarian pregnancy does not compromise subsequent fertility of these patients. Recurrence is exceptional.