Diagnosis of Empty Gestational Sack
Identifying an empty gestational sack typically requires the use of ultrasound examination. The official diagnosis is made by a healthcare professional when no embryo is detected in a gestational sac with a diameter of 25 mm or larger. In certain instances, a yolk sac may still be present. Additional scans may be conducted by the doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
Understanding Miscarriage and D&C
When anembryonic pregnancies occur, they eventually result in miscarriage. Once diagnosed, the woman and her doctor collaborate to determine the best course of action. In some cases, the doctor may suggest a procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C). During this brief surgical procedure, the cervix is dilated, and any remaining tissue from the pregnancy is scraped off the uterine lining. Although it is not commonly required, a D&C allows a pathologist to analyze the tissue and investigate the potential cause of the miscarriage.