Assessment of Fallopian Tube Fimbria Patency With 4-Dimensional Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography in Infertile Women

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of 4-dimensional (4D) hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) for assessing fallopian tube fimbria patency in infertile women.

Methods: Seventy-seven infertile female patients with obstruction at the tubal fimbria or partial obstruction with pelvic adhesions were included. All of the patients underwent 4D HyCoSy enhanced by dynamic observation after a flush of normal saline and were followed with laparoscopic chromopertubation using methylene blue within 6 months.

Results: The overall accordance between 4D HyCoSy and laparoscopic chromopertubation was 92.9%. The sensitivity and specificity of 4D HyCoSy with laparoscopic chromopertubation as a reference standard were 93.8% and 92.2%, respectively.

Conclusions: Four-dimensional HyCoSy can be the preferred method for assessment of tubal fimbria patency and pelvic adhesions surrounding the ovaries, with its advantages of accuracy, noninvasiveness, and a good safety profile.

Keywords: 4-dimensional sonography; fallopian tube fimbria patency; gynecologic ultrasound; hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography; infertility; transvaginal sonography.