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When Can Ultrasound Results Mean a Miscarriage Diagnosis?

From , former About.com Guide

Updated July 14, 2009

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Transvaginal Ultrasound

Transvaginal ultrasound is generally more sensitive than abdominal ultrasound for diagnosing an early miscarriage.

Image © A.D.A.M.
Question: When Can Ultrasound Results Mean a Miscarriage Diagnosis?
Answer:

On an early ultrasound, it can be hard to distinguish an early pregnancy from a missed miscarriage when there's any confusion about the gestational age. To avoid misdiagnosis, doctors use specific guidelines to determine when ultrasound results may mean miscarriage.

In a report by the Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada, researchers recommended that miscarriage be diagnosed if a transvaginal ultrasound reveals the following:

  • No heartbeat in an embryo larger than 5 mm
  • Gestational sac is larger than 8mm and has no yolk sac
  • Gestational sac is larger than 16mm and has no embryo

In addition, if an earlier ultrasound revealed a fetal heartbeat and a subsequent ultrasound finds no heartbeat, this definitely means a miscarriage. Falling hCG levels alongside an ultrasound showing an empty gestational sac or no fetal heartbeat may also lead to a miscarriage diagnosis.

Source:

Morin, Lucie and Michiel C. Van den Hof, "Ultrasound Evaluation of First Trimester Pregnancy Complications." SOGC Clinical Practice June 2005. Accessed 1 June 2008.

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