Sonographic findings in abdominal pregnancy

The sonograms of 20 proven cases of abdominal pregnancy were evaluated to determine the frequency of specific abnormalities associated with this condition. The most frequent and reliable finding was separation of the uterus from the fetus (90%). Extrauterine placenta (75%) and oligohydramnios (45%) were next in frequency. Other features such as fetal parts close to the maternal abdominal wall (25%), failure to visualize myometrium between the fetus or placenta and maternal bladder (15%), abnormal fetal lie (25%), poor visualization of the placenta (25%), and maternal bowel gas impeding fetal visualization (25%) were noted.