Hysterosalpingo contrast sonography as a screening test for tubal patency in infertile women.
The most informative method for assessing tubal patency in subfertile women is laparoscopy-and-dye. This investigation, however, puts a large burden on services and a screening test is needed that identifies a high likelihood of occlusion. In our infertility programme we introduced hysterosalpingo contrast sonography for this purpose, operated entirely by ultrasonographers. A series of audits indicated that this innovation speeded the process of investigation by several weeks and reduced the number of laparoscopy-and-dye procedures by 75%. The negative predictive value was 89% and the positive predictive value was 44%. The main limitation of the method was the long period required for training, in those without extensive experience of vaginal ultrasonography.
Killick
S R
SR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Royal Hospital, Hull, UK.
D003287:Contrast Media; D005186:Fallopian Tube Patency Tests / Q000379:methods; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C040642:SHU 454