Use of iotrolan versus ethiodized poppy-seed oil in hysterosalpingography

Abstract

Purpose: To compare use of the water-soluble, nonionic isosmolar dimer iotrolan with that of ethiodized poppy-seed oil in hysterosalpingography with regard to side effects, diagnostic quality, and postexamination conception rates.

Materials and methods: A prospective randomized design was used in a study of 245 patients. Questionnaires and patient records were used to acquire information. All examinations and ratings of diagnostic quality were performed by the same three investigators. Statistical calculations were performed with the chi 2 test, including the Mantel-Haenszel variant, and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: No substantial differences between the contrast media could be detected concerning pain during the procedure, delayed pain, or postexamination bleeding. Visualization of the uterine cavity and ampullary rugae was markedly better with use of iotrolan. The postexamination conception rate was higher with use of ethiodized poppy-seed oil (24.0%) but was not significantly different statistically (P = .44) from that seen after use of iotrolan (19.8%).

Conclusion: The authors believe the use of iotrolan is preferable to that of ethiodized poppy-seed oil.