PELVIC PNEUMOGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF INFERTILITY

Abstract

While the world's more urgent concern may be overpopulation, the problem of infertility remains extremely important for the individual. In general, radiologists have contributed to the solution of this problem only by the use of hysterosalpingography as a test of tubal patency. Much more information regarding the explanation of infertility can and should be obtained by radiologic methods. It is presumed that infertility will first be investigated by careful history and physical examination of each marriage partner, sperm evaluation, appropriate hormonal assay and metabolism tests, assessment of ovulation and tests of tubal patency. If infertility persists after such investigation and the elapse of a reasonable interval of time, pelvic pneumography is indicated. The following description of our experience is believed to support this contention. The principal purpose of this paper is to illustrate the contributory value of pelvic pneumography, used either alone or in combination with uterosalpingography, in delineating many causes of infertility that would otherwise remain obscure. A secondary objective is to acquaint those who are inexperienced in using this procedure with the technique and great value of pelvic pneumography in the diagnosis of reproductive tract disease in general.