Hysterosalpingography in the workup of female infertility: indications, technique and diagnostic findings

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the spectrum of diagnostic findings in hysterosalpingography (HSG) examinations performed at our institution between 2006–2010 and their prognostic significance for treatment decisions and fertility outcomes.MethodsPatients were filtered from our PACS. Pathological HSG studies were re-evaluated. Indications for referral, technical success and diagnostic findings were analysed. Pathological findings were correlated with further diagnostic workups, treatments and fertility outcomes.ResultsOf 411 HSG examinations, 226 (55 %) were normal, 94 (23 %) showed minor abnormalities and 5 (1.2 %) were not diagnostic. Eighty-six (21 %) examinations were pathological. Twenty-nine patients underwent subsequent laparoscopy, during which proximal tubal occlusion diagnosed at HSG was ruled out in 9/23 cases. Follow-up information was unavailable for 20 patients. Nineteen of 66 patients with follow-ups after pathological HSG had at least one subsequent successful pregnancy. Forty-one patients had no further treatment and no pregnancies.ConclusionsThe detection rate for pathologies at HSG was low (21 %). There was a high false-positive rate (39 %) for proximal tubal occlusion, most likely because of spasms, demonstrating the importance of delayed imaging after injection of antiperistaltic agents. HSG remains a valuable diagnostic tool. Our results, however, indicate that this technique should be more selectively indicated.Main Messages• Good acceptance of HSG by the patients. No complications with antibiotic prophylaxis.• Low detection rate (21 % pathological exams) for pathologies in our study.• High false-positive rate for proximal tubal occlusion.• This demonstrates the importance of waiting longer after injection of buscopan.• High pregnancy rate in pathological cases: Indication too broad or even a therapeutic effect of HSG?