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Failure to Diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy

Failure to Diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy

The term "ectopic pregnancy" refers to the implantation of a fertilized egg in a location outside of the uterine cavity. The implantation can occur in the fallopian tubes, cervix, ovary, cornual region of the uterus, and the abdominal cavity. As the improperly implanted egg grows, it can cause organ rupture. Ectopic pregnancy can lead to massive hemorrhage, infertility, or death.

Ectopic pregnancies occur in two percent of pregnancies in the United States. Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of death in women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Some of the common symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Sweating

The best way to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy is by untrasound. An ultrasound can not only detect the presence and location of an ectopic pregnancy but it can also determine how big the mass is and how close it is to rupturing. In addition, a physician can perform a pelvic examination. A blood test for pregnancy hormone levels can also be done. If the pregnancy is a normal one, the levels will be higher than if the pregnancy is ectopic.

Some women are at higher risk that the general population for ectopic pregnancy. A physician treating a patient for a possible ectopic pregnancy should inquire as to whether the patient has a history of any of the following:

• Fallopian tube surgery, including a prior tubal ligation
• Prior induced abortions
• Use of medication to increase fertility
• Prior pelvic inflammatory disease
• Advanced maternal age

The treatment of an ectopic pregnancy requires surgical removal of the egg. Surgery can be done by laproscopy in many instances. If a fallopian tube or organ has ruptured as a result of the ectopic pregnancy, surgical removal of the ruptured tube or repair of the organ should also be done.

Whether the failure to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy is medical malpractice depends on the circumstances of the case. A plaintiff seeking to file a claim against a physician for failure to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy would need to obtain an expert opinion. The expert's opinion should state that the failure to make the diagnosis was a breach of the applicable standard of care and that the breach was the cause of the plaintiff's injuries.

Copyright 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.