Publication:

Correlation between ultrasound and histopathological findings of products of uterine evacuation in cases admitted after medical abortion

Background The present study was undertaken to evaluate correlation between ultrasound findings and histological diagnosis in cases which were taken up for uterine evacuation on the suspected diagnosis of retained products of conception (RPOC) following medical abortion.

Methods A retrospective study was undertaken of cases admitted as RPOC/ failed medical abortion following self-medication for inducing abortion, at Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida. The time period of the study was from 01 Jan 2012 to 31 Aug 2014. The inclusion criteria of cases were H/O intake of drugs for induction of abortion by self-medication, evidence suggestive of RPOC/ failed medical abortion and cases that underwent uterine evacuation. Case documents of patients were studied and the available details noted down. The data were subjected for statistical analysis. Correlation between ultrasound and histopathological findings was evaluated.

Results There were 243 inpatients, during the study period, which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Ultrasound was performed in 172 cases. Histopathological examination of specimen was performed in 190 cases. Majority of these (123 - 64.74%) specimen showed features consistent with products of conception. Evidence of products of conception was seen in 64.29% cases with ET 7-10 mm, in 74.07% cases with ET 11-15 mm and in 90.91% cases with ET 16-20 mm on ultrasound.

Conclusions A retrospective study of suspected cases of RPOC/ failed medical abortion following medical abortion was undertaken. Possibility of products of conception increased with ET increasing from 7 to 20mm. There was also evidence of increase in ET from 7 to 25 mm with increased duration of bleeding PV.