Chronic ectopic pregnancy

Abstract

Acute ectopic pregnancy is a common clinical problem, usually diagnosed by a combination of clinical, sonographic, and laboratory findings. Chronic ectopic pregnancy is a more unusual situation, resulting from minor ruptures that develop into a hematocele. The typical patient will have subacute or chronic pain and a low β-HCG. The sonographic findings in these cases can vary between an amorphous, avascular mass and a highly vascular complex. In the appropriate clinical setting, sonography can play an important role in the preoperative diagnosis of this entity.