Can hysterosalpingocontrast-sonography replace hysterosalpingography in the assessment of tubal subfertility?

Antonius B. Dijkman, Ben W.J. Mol, Fulco Van der Veen, P. M.M. Bossuyt, Hendricus V. Hogerzeil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Hysterosalpingo-contrastsonography (HyCoSy) is a new method for assessing tubal patency using transvaginal ultrasound. It is thought to have several advantages over conventional hysterosalpingography (HSG). We prospectively evaluated the performance of HyCoSy and HSG in the diagnosis of tubal pathology. Methods and patients: One-hundred consecutive subfertile women underwent both HyCoSy and HSG in randomized order. Results of both tests were related to findings at laparoscopy with dye, which was used as the reference test. Each woman was asked to score the pain experienced at both procedures on a visual analogue scale. Results: When laparoscopy with dye was used as reference test, the likelihood ratios of HyCoSy were slightly inferior to those obtained for HSG. Since the performance of HyCoSy was dependent on experience, the results were recalculated omitting the 50 initial procedures from the analysis. In that calculation, results of HyCoSy and HSG were comparable. There were no differences in pain experienced during the procedure, as there appeared also to be no differences in patient preferences. Conclusion: There appear to be no strong arguments either to replace HSG by HyCoSy, or to reject the use of HyCoSy. Both procedures can be used in the evaluation of tubal pathology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-48
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Journal of Radiology
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • HSG
  • HyCoSy
  • Tubal pathology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Cite this