Potential therapeutic effects of contrast materials in hysterosalpingography: a prospective randomized clinical trial. Kaiser Permanente Infertility Work Group.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of the contrast material used in hysterosalpingography (HSG) on subsequent reproductive success, independent of other therapeutic interventions.


METHODS
In a prospective, multisite, randomized trial, 666 women who had been infertile for more than 1 year and were scheduled to undergo HSG as part of their evaluation were assigned to one of three groups: those receiving water-soluble contrast material (WSCM) (n = 260), those receiving oil-soluble contrast material (OSCM) (n = 273), and those receiving both OSCM and WSCM (n = 133). Possible causes of infertility and therapeutic interventions were abstracted from the medical records. Data on conception within 1 year and the outcome of conception were ascertained from multiple sources.


RESULTS
Of 666 women, 204 (30.6%) had at least one pregnancy, and 136 (20.4%) had live births. The rates of live births were 20.4% (54 of 260) after HSG with WSCM, 19.4% (53 of 273) after HSG with OSCM, and 21.8% (29 of 133) after HSG with both WSCM and OSCM. Differences in reproductive outcome among contrast material groups were not statistically significant ((chi2)8 = 6.08, P = .64). Whatever the cause of infertility, the use of different contrast materials led to no significant differences in the rates of live births.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence to suggest that the choice of contrast material affects the rate of term pregnancy.
Spring
D B
DB
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, CA 94611-5693, USA.
Barkan
H E
HE
Pruyn
S C
SC
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004998:Ethiodized Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D004998:Ethiodized Oil