Can Ectopic Pregnancy Be Diagnosed With An Ultrasound?

The ectopic pregnancy results when a fertilized egg gets implanted outside the uterus. According to the data available, more than 90% of ectopic pregnancies are implanted in the fallopian tube. This is the reason why ectopic pregnancy is called tubal pregnancy.

It is challenging to diagnose ectopic pregnancy only based on symptoms. Early diagnosis is needed because an untreated ectopic pregnancy can result in ruptured fallopian tubes, which cause severe complications for the pregnant person. With the help of this blog, we will tell you about ectopic pregnancy diagnosis along with the best ultrasound hospital near me. 

Is Ultrasound Helpful in Diagnosing Ectopic Pregnancy?

In case your doctor suspects that your pregnancy could be ectopic, then they will start with a pelvic exam to identify where you are experiencing pain or have a mass. From there, you will likely have a blood test and an ultrasound. An ultrasound can be used for more definitive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. 

It is not the only means of diagnosis, as patient history combined with blood levels of serial quantitative pregnancy hormones is enough to confirm this type of pregnancy. This imaging test can be performed either transvaginally or transabdominal.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

Transvaginal Ultrasound is performed by inserting an ultrasound wand into the vagina. This wand videos sound wave Technology for capturing images of your pelvic area, including the uterus, fallopian tube, cervix, ovaries, and bladder. 

With the help of this Ultrasound, we can look more closely at the organs involved in pregnancy than the abdominal Ultrasound. You can detect more accurately when an embryo has been implanted anywhere where it should not, like on the fallopian tube, in the cervix, etc.

Transabdominal Ultrasound

Transabdominal Ultrasound is a type of Ultrasound in which a wand slides over your belly while taking an image of what is inside. It provides a wider overview of what is happening within your abdomen and is useful for identifying internal bleeding.

How Early can we detect an ectopic pregnancy by using Ultrasound?

Ectopic pregnancies are diagnosed within the first trimester. The earliest that a topic pregnancy can be detected with Ultrasound depends partly on the size of the embryo. By six weeks of gestation, an embryo is often large enough to be identified by using ultrasound Technology, as it is difficult to spot it before six weeks.

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

In your first trimester, the following conditions may indicate that the embryo has implanted outside the uterus:-

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding 
• Low back pain 
• Camping on one side of your pelvis 
• Mild pain in your pelvic or abdominal area, etc.

Ectopic Pregnancy Signs on Ultrasound

A transvaginal or transabdominal ultrasound is performed to identify the signs of ectopic pregnancy. An empty uterine cavity with elevated levels of pregnancy hormones is one of the clear signs that an embryo has implanted in a place where it cannot grow in size. Even though, in this case, the elevated levels of your hormone mainly indicate pregnancy, there are chances of an ectopic pregnancy if your uterus does not contain an embryo or yolk sac.

Another evidence of a topic pregnancy is called a decidual cast. This is a sizeable, intact tissue sloughed off from the endometrial lining. Although it is often associated with an ectopic pregnancy, there is still more research needed to identify the exact reason.

Also, a build-up of blood or a mass at the site of ectopic implantation is visible on the Ultrasound. Along with this, extra fluid in the peritoneal cavity is also one of the signs of ectopic pregnancy.

Conclusion 

In the end, however, it is very heartbreaking to know that a pregnancy is not viable. Ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening; therefore, its early diagnosis is essential. At Sehgal Nursing Home, Ultrasound plays a pivotal role in diagnosing ectopic pregnancies swiftly and accurately. Using high-resolution imaging technology, trained sonographers can identify abnormal embryo implantation outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tubes. 

This early detection is essential for medical intervention as it reduces the risk of complications such as ruptures and excessive bleeding. The advanced ultrasound equipment at Sehgal Nursing Home allows for detailed visualization of the pelvic region, helping clinicians make informed decisions regarding treatment options customized to each patient's unique condition.