title: Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) using Echovist-200 in the outpatient investigation of infertility patients.
abstract: This study describes the introduction of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) as a first line outpatient investigation of uterine and tubal factors in two fertility units. 136 infertile women had transvaginal scanning before and during the intrauterine injection of contrast medium (Echovist-200). HyCoSy was successfully completed in 132 cases (97%) within a mean time of 12.6 +/- 8.4 (4-50) min. The uterus and its cavity appeared normal in 108 (82%) women. Uterine abnormalities in the remaining 24 women (18%) included structural abnormality (n = 7), fibroids (n = 12) and endometrial polyps (n = 5). A total of 261 fallopian tubes in 132 women were assessed: 186 (71%) appeared patent and 55 (21%) blocked. The remaining 20 (8%) could not be assessed for technical reasons. Polycystic ovaries and ovarian cysts were diagnosed in eight women. The most common adverse effect was mild/moderate pain, similar to period pain, with 24 (18%) women requiring simple analgesia. HyCoSy is a simple and well tolerated outpatient procedure. The technique provides clinically valuable information about tubal patency, ovarian and uterine abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ayida
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seif
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C040642:SHU 454