Anterior renal fascia thickening: an ultrasound indicator for the side of tubal ruptures in ectopic pregnancy

ABSTRACT

The width of anterior extra renal tissue is known to be increased on U S examination in patients with abdominal inflammatory disease such as acute cholecystits, acute pancreatitis, acute appendicitis, perforated duodenal ulcer, liver abscess, leaking anastomosis. We have observed thickening of anterior renal fascia, especially of the lower poles more on the side of ruptured tubal pregnancy. Normal values were obtained in 200 females with otherwise normal intrauterine pregnancy and mean values were between 1- 4mm [mean 1-7mm]. The patients with ruptured tubal ectopic [proven post operatively], had values ranging from 7-12mm [mean 9mm] on the side of involved tube and 5-7mm [mean 6 mm] on the contralateral side. A normal measurement, however, does not preclude possibility of ectopic pregnancy