[Comparison of ultrasound plus radiography versus computed tomography in the diagnosis of ectopic intrauterine devices].

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound plus radiography versus computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of ectopic intrauterine device (IUD) and analyze the ratio of cost and effectiveness (C/E) so as to provide scientific rationales for the selection of appropriate diagnostic methods.

Methods: A total of 70 cases were recruited from two major Chinese hospitals in 2009. They were examined with ultrasound plus radiography and CT respectively. The gold diagnostic criterion was postoperative diagnosis to compare the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic index (DI), accuracy and C/E for different diagnostic methods. The SPSS 13.0 statistical analysis software was employed for data analysis.

Results: The data of 65 subjects were collected and analyzed. For ultrasound plus radiography, the sensitivity, specificity, DI, accuracy and C/E were 82.1%, 88.9%, 171.0%, 83.1% and 137.3 respectively. As for CT, the above indices were 96.4%, 55.6%, 152.0%, 90.8% and 170.7 respectively.

Conclusion: Considering the higher levels of specificity and DI and a lower C/E, ultrasound plus radiography is superior to CT so that the former modality shall become a first-choice in the diagnosis of ectopic IUD, especially at the grass-root family planning service stations.