β‐HCG concentration in peritoneal fluid and serum in ectopic and intrauterine pregnancy

Objective. To evaluate the significance of P‐HCG levels in peritoneal fluid and serum in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Study design setting. Obstetrics and Gynecology department of a regional general hospital. Subjects. Sixty‐two women who presented with a differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy vs. nonviable intrauterine pregnancy. Interventions. All patients underwent D & C and culdocentesis. P‐HCG was measured in simultaneously obtained peritoneal fluid (PF) and serum (S), and the PFiS ratio calculated. Results. Twenty‐three patients had an ectopic pregnancy (Group I). All 23 had higher β‐HCG concentrations in the PF than in the serum, with a mean PFiS ratio of 19.1 ± 16.9. Twenty‐four patients had an intrauterine pregnancy (Group II). The β‐HCG levels in the PF and serum were similar (mean PF/S 1.1 ±0.2). The difference in PFiS ratio between groups I and II was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion. The measurement of P‐HCG in peritoneal fluid and serum is a useful diagnostic tool in differentiating ectopic from intrauterine pregnancy. 1995 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted