The role of saline infusion sonohysterography in the evaluation of infertility

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate possible intrauterine pathologies that may not be visible in basal transvaginal ultrasonography in infertile patients using saline infusion sonohysterography.
 Methods: Between January 2019 and January 2020, 110 patients who presented to the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Infertility Polyclinic were enrolled in the study. Saline infusion sonohysterography was performed on primary and secondary infertile patients who were not diagnosed with endometrial pathology via ultrasonography.
 Results: Pathological findings were detected in 11 out of 110 patients (10.6%) during saline infusion sonohysterography, including polyps, myomas, and adhesions. These patients were referred to hysteroscopy by their practitioner. After the procedure, pathological findings were detected in 54.5% of cases by hysteroscopy. According to these data, the sensitivity of saline infusion sonohysterography in detecting intracavitary pathologies was 60%, specificity was 80.7%, positive predictive value was 54.5%, negative predictive value was 84%, and reliability was 75%.
 Conclusion: Saline infusion sonohysterography can detect endometrial pathologies not identified by TV USG, suggesting its cost-effective addition to routine evaluations for infertile patients and potential endometrial pathologies.