Sonohysterographic screening before in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of sonohysterography for uterine screening before IVF.


METHODS
Prospective screening with sonohysterography and comparison with available hysterosalpingographic and hysteroscopic evaluations.


METHODS
Private practice.


METHODS
Seventy-two women undergoing IVF-ET using their own or donor eggs.


METHODS
Sonohysterography was performed by instilling saline into the uterine cavity through an intracervical balloon catheter; there was concurrent vaginal sonographic visualization in all cases.


METHODS
Sonohysterographic findings and pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
Cavitary lesions were detected in 8 (11.1%) of 72 sonohysterographic examinations. Six of 8 cases were confirmed and treated by hysteroscopy. After sonohysterographic evaluation, 35 (48.6%) of 72 patients conceived, resulting in 25 ongoing or delivered pregnancies, 5 chemical pregnancies, and 5 spontaneous abortions. No statistically significant difference was observed in the pregnancy outcome for patients undergoing IVF who had sonohysterography compared with that for patients undergoing IVF during the same period who previously had a uterine evaluation by a different method. The estimated cost savings per patient undergoing sonohysterography instead of in-office hysteroscopy was $275.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonohysterography offers advantages over in-office hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingography for evaluation of the uterus before IVF.
Kim
A H
AH
Fertility and Reproductive Health Institute of Northern California, San Jose, USA.
McKay
H
H
Keltz
M D
MD
Nelson
H P
HP
Adamson
G D
GD
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*