Ultrasound is one of the finest technique. Ultrasound is done during pregnancy to know the details of growing fetus. But, sometimes there occur conditions where the pregnancy is ectopic. So, ultrasound is used to diagnose ectopic pregnancy. Now, you must be thinking what is ectopic pregnancy? So, let me answer your question.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself in a place other than inside the uterus. Almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube and are thus sometimes called tubal pregnancies. The fallopian tubes are not designed to hold a growing embryo; thus, the fertilized egg in a tubal pregnancy cannot develop properly and must be treated. An ectopic pregnancy happens in 1 out of 50 pregnancies.

Diagnosing Ectopic Pregnancy With Ultrasound

What causes an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancies are caused by one or more of the following

• An infection or inflammation of the fallopian tube can cause it to become partially or entirely blocked.
• Scar tissue from a previous infection or a surgical procedure on the tube may also impede the egg’s movement.
• Previous surgery in the pelvic area or on the tubes can cause adhesions.
• Abnormal growths or a birth defect can result in an abnormality in the tube’s shape.

Who is at risk for having an ectopic pregnancy?

Risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy include the following

• Maternal age of 35-44 years
• Previous ectopic pregnancy
• Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Several induced abortions
• Conceiving after having a tubal ligationor while an IUD is in place
• Smoking
• Endometriosis
• Undergoing fertility treatments or are using fertility medications

These women are at higher risk for having ectopic pregnancy.

If someone you know has had an ectopic or tubal pregnancy or you’re worried that you’re at risk for one, you might be wondering how doctors diagnose these pregnancies.

First let us know the Dangers of an Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy, also called a tubal pregnancy, that develops undetected for too long can become life threatening, especially if it leads to a ruptured fallopian tube or another such emergency. Not every ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, though, begins or ends in the emergency room — sometimes doctors can catch and treat these pregnancies earlier. Here’s how.

Many women who have a tubal pregnancy see their doctors after having bleeding or cramping in early pregnancy. Sometimes these symptoms occur even in normal pregnancies, but at other times, they can be signs of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. A doctor may specifically suspect ectopic pregnancy if a pelvic exam reveals an abnormal lump in the tubal area or if the woman is having excessive abdominal pain or tenderness.

If there is any sign of a ruptured tubal pregnancy, the woman should go straight to the emergency room, but in nonemergency cases, the doctor may run tests to confirm or rule out the possibility of tubal pregnancy. The diagnosis includes a combination of hCG levels and early ultrasound.

HCG Levels

The hCG levels in an ectopic pregnancy often rise slower than normal, meaning they will not double every two to three days in early pregnancy.

This may be the first clue that leads the doctor to investigate the possibility of tubal pregnancy, but hCG levels on their own cannot confirm an ectopic pregnancy. So, Ultrasound comes to our rescue.

Ultrasound for Diagnosis

If the ultrasound shows a gestational sac in the uterus, the doctor can most likely rule out tubal pregnancy as a cause of slow-rising hCG levels or bleeding and cramping. Other times, ultrasound will reveal the gestational sac and fetal pole(potentially with a heartbeat) being present in the fallopian tube, which obviously will lead to an ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, but frequently the sac will never be visible at all on an ultrasound in a tubal pregnancy. A transvaginal ultrasound showing no gestational sac with an hCG level above 1,500 is considered fairly certain evidence of an ectopic pregnancy. (On an abdominal ultrasound, the sac should be visible by the time the hCG has reached 6,500.)

If the doctor confirms that the pregnancy is ectopic but there is no sign of rupture, the doctor may recommend a medication called “methotrexate” to terminate the pregnancy or may recommend monitoring the hCG levels if the pregnancy seems as if it may end naturally. If the doctor feels there is a significant risk that the ectopic pregnancy may rupture the tube, the treatment may be surgery to end the pregnancy.Tubal pregnancies are not viable and can be fatal if they are left untreated. So, if you are pregnant and experiencing abdominal pain or bleeding or any of the above mentioned symptoms, please visit your gynecologist as soon as possible. Be safe and live healthy.