HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sau, A. Articles by Hamilton-Fairley, D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Sau, A. Articles by Hamilton-Fairley, D.

Nonsurgical diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy

Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, London, SE1 7EH. UK. email: ashis{at}sau3.freeserve.co.uk (corresponding author)

Diana Hamilton-Fairley, MD MRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.

Laparoscopy is not mandatory for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, which can be diagnosed by the use of transvaginal scan together with colour Doppler and estimation of quantitative ß-human chorionic gonadotrophin (ß-hCG). The role of expectant management in ectopic pregnancy is limited. Spontaneous resolution occurs only in selected groups of women typically with an unruptured ectopic pregnancy and an initial ß-hCG of <1o00 miu/ml, which is declining. Measurement of serum progesterone levels may be helpful in identifying this group. Systemic methotrexate administration is a promising treatment in patients with early and unruptured ectopic pregnancy. It preserves fertility with no morbidity of surgery.

Keywords Keywords / diagnosis / ectopic pregnancy / expectant treatment / methotrexate