Ultrasound assessment of haemoperitoneum in ectopic pregnancy: derivation of a prediction model

Abstract

Abstract Background To derive an ultrasound-based prediction model for the quantification of haemoperitoneum in ectopic pregnancy (EP). Methods Retrospective study of 89 patients operated upon EP between January 1999 and March 2003 in a French Gynaecology and Obstetrics department in a university hospital. Transvaginal sonograms, clinical and biological variables from patients with haemoperitoneum ≥ 300 ml at surgery were compared with those from patients with haemoperitoneum Results Three parameters predicted haemoperitoneum ≥ 300 ml independently: moderate to severe spontaneous pelvic pain, fluid above the uterine fundus or around the ovary at transvaginal ultrasound, and serum haemoglobin concentration Conclusion The proposed model accurately predicted significant haemoperitoneum in patients diagnosed to have EP.