A rational diagnostic approach to the "phantom hCG" and other clinical scenarios in which a patient is thought to be pregnant but is not
The scenario in which a patient tests positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the absence of pregnancy can pose a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. The term "phantom hCG" refers to persistently positive hCG levels on diagnostic testing in a nonpregnant patient and such results...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Book |
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SAGE Publishing,
2021-06-01T00:00:00Z.
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| Online Access: | Connect to this object online. |
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| Summary: | The scenario in which a patient tests positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the absence of pregnancy can pose a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. The term "phantom hCG" refers to persistently positive hCG levels on diagnostic testing in a nonpregnant patient and such results often lead to a false diagnosis of malignancy and subsequent inappropriate treatment with chemotherapy or hysterectomy. There remains a need for a consistent and rational diagnostic approach to the "phantom hCG." This article aims to review the different etiologies of positive serum hCG testing in nonpregnant subjects and concludes with a practical, stepwise diagnostic approach to assist clinicians encountering this clinical dilemma. |
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| Item Description: | 2633-4941 10.1177/26334941211016412 |