Oil or aqueous contrast media for hysterosalpingography: a prospective, randomized, clinical study

Abstract

In this prospective randomized clinical study the pregnancy rate and the quality of the images obtained by hysterosalpingography (HSG) in 175 women with fertility problems have been compared using an oil-soluble contrast medium and an aqueous contrast medium. After the HSG there was a follow-up period of 6 months. No statistically significant difference in pregnancy rate was found. With both contrast media good images were obtained. The oil-soluble contrast medium gave a more sharply outlined uterine cavity, the aqueous contrast medium showed more tubal details. Furthermore, the control picture with the aqueous contrast medium can be prepared after ten minutes. We conclude that the use of an aqueous contrast medium for routine HSG is preferable.