Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography for assessment of uterine malformations and patency of fallopian tube

Abstract

Objective To investigate the practical value of real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography(RT-3D-HyCoSy) in fertile patients with uterine malformation. Methods Thirty-four patients with uterine malformations diagnosed by RT-3D-HyCoSy were selected at the West China Second University Hospital from January 2015 to April 2019. The patients were examined by RT-3D-HyCoSy to evaluate uterine malformations and the patency of fallopian tubes. The types of uterine malformations and the causes of failure to evaluate the patency of fallopian tubes were analyzed. Results A total of 34 patients were diagnosed withuterine malformations, including 13 (38.2%) cases of septate uterus, 12 (35.3%) cases of unicornuate uterus, 6 (17.7%) cases of didelphus, and 3 (8.8%) cases of arcuate uterus. Among the 34 cases included, there were 4 missing fallopian tubes, 34 unobstructed fallopian tubes, 6 partially obstructed fallopian tubes, and 9 obstructed fallopian tubes; 15 fallopian tubes could not be evaluated, of which 8 were unicornuate uterus with residual horn uterus, 4 were didelphus, and 3 were complete septate uterus with one fallopian unevaluable. The main reason for not being evaluable was the failure of uterine catheterization. Conclusion For infertility patients with uterine malformation, RT-3D-HyCoSy can not only identify the types of uterine malformation, but also accurately assess the patency of fallopian tubes, representing an important and effective means to screen the causes of infertility. However, some fallopian tubes can not be evaluated due to the failure of uterine catheterization Key words: Infertility; Uterine malformation; Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography