[Pregnancy of unknown location].

Background: A pregnancy of unknown location is a descriptive term that can be defined after performing trans vaginal ultrasound. This situation includes patients with a positive pregnancy test but with no evidence of intra or extra uterine pregnancy on transvaginal sonography.

Aim: To discuss different aspects of management of women with pregnancy of unknown location.

Methods: Review of the literature.

Results: Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin levels, progesterone levels and mathematical models are helpful in the prediction of final outcome of pregnancy: intra uterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous resolution or persistent pregnancy of unknown location. Active expectant management of asymptomatic women with a pregnancy of unknown location has been shown to be safe.

Conclusion: Surgical intervention (diagnostic laparoscopy and uterine curettage) to diagnose the location of the pregnancy should be restrictive.