"normal bowel loops can form a vascular, adnexal pseudo-mass but will demonstrate peristalsis 16"
"Serum beta HCG levels tend to increase at a slower rate. Whereas a normal doubling rate in early pregnancy is approximately 48 hours, an increase of 50% or less in 48 hours is strongly suggestive of a non-viable (either intra- or extrauterine) pregnancy 7,17. Rarely, the urinary and/or serum beta-hCG will be negative despite an ectopic pregnancy 9."
"Gestational age calculation is more accurate than beta-HCG levels for determining whether an intrauterine pregnancy should be visible; an intrauterine gestational sac with a yolk sac should be visible between 5 and 6 weeks 19. Evidence suggests treatment for ectopic pregnancy in a haemodynamically stable woman should not be initiated on the basis of a single hCG value 6."
"the presence of free intraperitoneal fluid in the context of a positive beta HCG and an empty uterus is"
"serum beta-HCG >5000 mIU/mL"
"The most reliable sign of ectopic pregnancy is the visualisation of an extra-uterine gestation, but this is not seen in 15-35% of ectopic pregnancies 1."
Expected headings
"Complications"
"previous ectopic pregnancy: 10x increased risk; recurrent ectopic pregnancies in ~12.5% (range 5-19%) 20,21"
"interstitial ectopic/cornual ectopic: 3-4%; also essentially a type of tubal ectopic 16"
"ovarian ectopic: ovarian pregnancy; 0.5-3% 16,19"
"cervical ectopic: cervical pregnancy; rare"
"scar ectopic: site of previous caesarean section scar; rare 1-3% 10,19"
"Gestational age calculation is more accurate than beta-HCG levels for determining whether an intrauterine pregnancy should be visible; an intrauterine gestational sac with a yolk sac should be visible between 5 and 6 weeks 19. Evidence suggests treatment for ectopic pregnancy in a haemodynamically stable woman should not be initiated on the basis of a single hCG value 6."