The advantages of sono-hysterosalpingogram over the x-ray hysterosalpingogram in evaluating tubal blockages

Objective: To evaluate the benefit of sono-hsg in the study of tubal blockages over the conventional x-ray hysterosalpingogram in infertile patients.

Method: This study included five infertile patients in our diagnostic clinic who have had x-ray hsg and diagnosed to have bilateral tubal blockages.The x-ray was done with OMNIPAQUE as the contrast medium.The patients also underwent sono-hsg with Eosin as the contrast agent.They were given antispasmodics before the procedure to eliminate the possibility of tubal spasm.A laparoscopy was then to standardise results.

Result: Result shows that (1) Five patients were diagnosed to have tubal blockages using x-ray hsg.(2) Four patients out of the five above were found to have bilateral tubal patencies while only one presents with unilateral tubal blockage(right sided) using sono-hsg. (3) Laparoscopy revealed also that the four in (2) above had bilateral tubal patencies.While the remaining one hadright hydrosalpinx and left peritoneal spill.

Conclusion:

(1) Our study simply shows that sono-hsg has high specificity and reduces the false negative diagnosis of tubal blockages in infertility patients.

(2) That the ultrasound contrast is less dense than the x-ray contrast medium.

(3) The Eosin is better tolerated and flows easily through the uterus and tubes without causing irritation and spasmwhich leads to false impression of tubal blockages. Hence the use of sono-hsg is highly recommended in infertility investigation in order to reduce or invariably eliminate false negative diagnosis and also reduce patient exposure to radiation.