Clinical analysis of misdiagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in 18 cases

Objective To explore the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Methods From July 1996 to July 2006, the clinical pathologic materials of 4 cases with ectopic pregnancy which were misdiagnoged as other disease and 14 cases without ectopic pregnancy which were misdiagnosed as ectopic pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively. Results The 4 cases with ectopic pregnancy were misdiagnosed as eutopic pregnancy; Of the 14 cases of other diseases overdiagnosed as ectopic pregnancy, 2cases with eutopicpregnancy, 3 cases with ruptured ovary, 1 case with pelvicitis, 2 cases with hemorrhagic salpingitis, 1 case with ruptured spleen, 1 case with hydatidiform mole, 1 case with choriocarcinoma, 2 cases with endometriosis, 1 case with uterine cavity adhere syndrome were misdiagnosed Conclusions The diagnosis and the differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy should be made in accordance with considering all diagnostic procedures, such as clinical history and examination, measure of serum HCG level, colour uttrosound, digital subraction angiography, and diagnostic curettage, so as to avoid the misdiagnosis and over-diagnosis. In ease of elusive patients, the recommended reliable management is laparotomy or laparoscopy.