Value of three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography with SonoVue in the assessment of tubal patency.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the accuracy of transvaginal three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography using SonoVue (3D SonoVue-HyCoSy) in the assessment of Fallopian tubal patency.


METHODS
We recruited 75 infertile patients undergoing 3D SonoVue-HyCoSy before standard diagnostic laparoscopy with chromotubation (lap and dye). Tubal patency was assessed by automated 3D coded contrast imaging (3D SonoVue-HyCoSy), and the findings were compared with the results of lap and dye.


RESULTS
For detecting tubal patency among the 150 Fallopian tubes assessed, 3D SonoVue-HyCoSy had a sensitivity of 93.5%, specificity of 86.3%, positive and negative predictive values of 87.8% and 92.6%, respectively, and diagnostic accuracy of 90.0%. The test-positive rates of 3D SonoVue-HyCoSy vs lap and dye were not significantly different (82/150 vs 77/150, P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
3D SonoVue-HyCoSy should be considered clinically valuable as a practical, non-invasive, primary investigatory tool for evaluating tubal patency.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China. zlxslg@21cn.com
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Zhou
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Zhang
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Chen
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Liao
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Pan
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Zhou
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Di
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D005186:Fallopian Tube Patency Tests; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010743:Phospholipids; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride