Reliability of frozen section of uterine curettings in evaluation of possible ectopic pregnancy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess the accuracy of frozen section evaluation of uterine curettings to look for chorionic villi and rule out ectopic pregnancy before laparoscopy.

DESIGN

Retrospective review (Canadian Task Force classification III).

SETTING

Northeastern medical school-affiliated teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Thirty-six women. Intervention. Dilatation and curettage, laparoscopy, and laparotomy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 36 cases, 13 showed evidence of intrauterine pregnancy, either chorionic villi or implantation site, on final permanent sections. Five false negatives were identified in which no villi were identified on frozen section, although villi or evidence of an implantation site was noted on permanent sections (sensitivity 62%, 95% CI 0.32, 0.86).

CONCLUSION

Frozen section evaluation of uterine curettings can produce false negative diagnoses, and this should be considered in the operative planning of women with suspected ectopic pregnancy.