Ultrasound evaluation of ectopic pregnancy including correlation with human chorionic gonadotrophin levels

A total of 267 patients referred for ultrasound examination because of clinical suspicion of ectopic pregnancy were studied prospectively. The outcome was correlated with the ultrasound findings and human chorionic gonadotrophin levels using a quantitative serum assay. The value of the following in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy are assessed: ultrasound criteria for early diagnosis of intrauterine pregnancy before visualization of a viable fetus, the discriminatory zone of hCG and extrauterine abnormalities.