Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.
When to get help quickly: This can be an emergency. Anyone who may be pregnant and has severe one-sided pain, fainting, dizziness, shoulder-tip pain, or heavy bleeding should go to the hospital urgently.
Common symptoms
Symptoms may include one-sided lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding that is different from a normal period, dizziness, shoulder-tip pain, or discomfort when using the toilet in early pregnancy.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps look for whether the pregnancy is inside the womb, whether there is a mass near the tube or ovary, and whether there may be internal bleeding.
What radiology does
Pelvic ultrasound is central because it helps look for an intrauterine pregnancy, an adnexal mass, or internal bleeding.
What usually happens next
This can be urgent and may require medication, surgery, and close obstetric or gynecology follow-up.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
Related scan guides
- Fallopian Tube Recanalization (FTR)Fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) is a non-surgical interventional radiology procedure used to clear blocked fallopian tubes, helping to restore fertility in women.
- Pelvic UltrasoundA Pelvic Ultrasound looks at the organs in your lower abdomen, including the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and prostate. It bounces sound waves off your internal organs to create clear pictures of the soft tissues in your pelvis.
- Transvaginal UltrasoundA Transvaginal Ultrasound is an internal pelvic scan that provides a remarkably clear, close-up look at the female reproductive organs.