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Study Objective: To evaluate the use of a technique consisting of culdocentesis followed by saline solution-enhanced pelvic ultrasonography in cases suspect for ectopic pregnancy in which an accurate diagnosis could not be made using routine transvaginal ultrasound. Design: Retrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting: Academic medical center. Patients: Twenty patients with an initial diagnosis of pregnancy of unknown location. Interventions: In 20 patients with symptoms of early pregnancy and serum quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin concentration, ectopic pregnancy could not be confirmed or ruled out. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided culdocentesis was performed, and 300 to 400 mL of normal saline solution was injected into the posterior cul-de-sac and pelvis. Transvaginal ultrasound was repeated with particular attention to the floating fallopian tubes Measurements and Main Results: Using this technique, a tubal pregnancy was visualized in 15 of 20 patients, and ectopic pregnancy was ruled out in 5 patients. In all patients, appropriate management was provided according to the final diagnosis, and consisted of either methotrexate, laparoscopic salpingostomy or salpingectomy, or expectant management in patients with abnormal intrauterine pregnancies. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided culdocentesis followed by saline solution-enhanced pelvic ultrasound can be considered as a diagnostic tool in patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy in whom other methods fail to demonstrate this diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]