How is an unruptured ectopic pregnancy typically diagnosed?

An unruptured ectopic pregnancy is typically diagnosed through a combination of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels that do not show the expected doubling every 48 hours and the use of transvaginal ultrasound.

In an early pregnancy, HCG levels normally should rise significantly; however, in cases of ectopic pregnancy, this rise may be slower or plateau due to the abnormal implantation of the embryo outside the uterine cavity. A transvaginal ultrasound is crucial for visualization, allowing the clinician to identify if there is an intrauterine gestational sac or if there are any adnexal masses that might suggest an ectopic pregnancy.

Both steps are important because relying solely on HCG levels could lead to misdiagnosis. Additionally, other methods such as physical examinations or MRI are not routinely utilized for the diagnosis of unruptured ectopic pregnancies due to limitations in sensitivity and specificity compared to ultrasound combined with HCG measurements. This combination of data provides a more complete and accurate assessment to guide the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancies.