Transvaginal salpingosonography for the assessment of tubal patency in infertile women: methodological and clinical experiences.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the advantages and accuracy of transvaginal salpingosonography in the assessment of tubal patency with regards to laparoscopic chromopertubation.


METHODS
Infertility policlinic of the hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-one women suffering from infertility were examined with transvaginal salpingosonography using air and saline as a contrast medium. The results were compared with those obtained with laparoscopic chromopertubation.


RESULTS
Altogether 61 fallopian tubes were examined with both transvaginal salpingosonography and laparoscopic chromopertubation. Concordance was 85%. Of the tubes investigated by transvaginal salpingosonography, 45 were found to be patent and 16 were found to be occluded. In chromopertubation, 50 of 61 tubes were patent and 11 were occluded. Bilateral tubal patency was found by transvaginal salpingosonography in 17 cases and by laparoscopy in 22 cases. Unilateral tubal patency was found in 11 and 6 cases, respectively. Bilateral occlusion was found in three cases using either technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Transvaginal salpingosonography with the combination of air and saline is a low-cost, reliable, safe, and comfortable examination method. It can be used for the primary investigation of infertility on an outpatient basis.
Heikkinen
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Oulu, Finland.
Tekay
A
A
Volpi
E
E
Martikainen
H
H
Jouppila
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005186:Fallopian Tube Patency Tests / Q000379:methods*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography