New techniques in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Pulse and color Doppler studies have provided a potent method for the investigation of functional changes and pathologic conditions in the female pelvis, both in the gravid and nongravid state. Combined with transvaginal sonography, which optimizes the imaging capability, the transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography provides a new major modality for reproductive flow studies that have hitherto been possible only in animal models because of the invasiveness of the technique. Apart from these potential applications of the technique for research purposes, however, transvaginal imaging and the Doppler technique have become major modalities in all patients suspected of ectopic pregnancy at our institution.