Can ultrasound predict the presence of retained products of conception following first-trimester spontaneous abortion?

The incidence of retained products of conception [RPOC] has been reported as 1-3% and ultrasound has an important role in their diagnosis and selection of patients for surgical management. The aim of this study is to identify that ultrasound is a predictor of the presence of retained product of conception [RPOC] within the uterine cavity in women with the clinical diagnosis of incomplete first trimester abortion. hundred patients with a diagnosis of incomplete abortion and RPOC based on clinical and sonographic findings were enrolled. The gold standard test was pathologic reports of samples obtained during dilatation and curettage. Endometrial thickness and homogenesity of the endometer were determined by sonography. The sensitivity and specificity of the measurements for detecting RPOC were assessed. Histopathological reports confirmed the diagnosis of RPOC in 71 patients [71%]. Mean endometrial thickness with RPOC was 16.3 mm versus 12.1 mm without RPOC. Heterogenic endometrium was seen in 56 out of 71 patients [78%]. The sensitivity and specificity of the endometrial thickness greater than 11.25mm for detecting RPOC were 81% and 45%, respectively. Regarding the endometrial thickness and heterogenic endometer, 13.5 mm had the best performance criteria with 60% and 63% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. An endometrial thickness of 11.25 mm or more detected by sonography had the best diagnostic efficacy, considering the heterogenecity with the thickness of the endometrium, 13.5 mm had the best performance criteria for detection of RPOC following first trimester spontaneous abortion

Role of ultrasonography in early pregnancy complications.

Two hundred patients in the first trimester of pregnancy presenting with complications were evaluated both clinically and by ultrasonography. The ultrasonographic interpretations were classified as either confirmatory, diagnostic or misleading based on their correlation with the clinical diagnosis. It was observed that in 51% cases sonography was confirmatory, in 41% diagnostic and in 8% misleading. Used judiciously, ultrasonography provides a reliable aid in management of early pregnancy complications.

Predictable ultrasonographic findings of early abortion

Early fetal growth delay and early oligohydramnios have been suspected as signs of embryonal jeopardy. However, little information is available for the prediction of early abortion. Sonographic examination of 111 early pregnancies between the sixth and ninth gestational week with regular, 28 day menstrual cycles was performed to investigate predictable sonographic findings of early abortion. Sonographic measurements of the gestational sac (G-SAC), crown-rump length (CRL) and fetal heart rate (FHR) were performed using a linear array real time transducer with Doppler. All measurements of 17 early abortions were compared to those of 94 normal pregnancies to investigate the objective rules for the screening of early abortion. Most of the early aborted pregnancies were classified correctly by discriminant analysis with G-SAC and CRL (G-SAC = 0.5222 CRL + 14.6673 = 0.5 CRL + 15, sensitivity 76.5% specificity 96.8%). With the addition of FHR, 94.1% of early abortions could be predicted. In conclusion, sonographic findings of early intrauterine growth retardation, early oligohydromnios and bradycardia can be predictable signs for the poor prognosis of early pregnancies.