Role of sonography in the diagnosis of retained products of conception

J Ultrasound Med. 2004 Mar;23(3):371-4. doi: 10.7863/jum.2004.23.3.371.

Abstract

Objective: To present our experience with clinical and sonographic diagnosis of retained products of conception and to evaluate its correlation with histopathologic findings.

Methods: This was a retrospective study on 156 patients admitted for retained products of conception. Women were referred because of 1 or more of the following: abdominal pain, bleeding, and fever. The status of the cervix was evaluated by bimanual examination. The diagnosis of retained products of conception was made when a sonographic finding of hyperechoic or hypoechoic material was seen in any part of the uterine cavity or the presence of a thickened endometrial stripe greater than 8 mm and an irregular interface between the endometrium and myometrium was found. One hundred twenty-one women (77.6%) were admitted after dilation and curettage for abortion, and 35 (22.4%) were admitted after spontaneous labor.

Results: Histopathologic reports confirmed the diagnosis of retained products of conception in 86 (71%) of 121 women in the postabortion group and in 17 (48.5%) of 35 women in the postpartum group. The overall false-positive rate for sonographic diagnosis was 34%. For women after abortion and after delivery, the false-positive rates were 28.9% and 51.5%, respectively.

Conclusions: Reliance on common signs and symptoms to diagnose retained products of conception as well as the use of sonography is associated with an unacceptably high false-positive rate, mainly after delivery. A more conservative approach to the treatment of retained products of conception is suggested.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Incomplete / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*
  • Uterus / diagnostic imaging