The value of injection pressure measurement during real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography for assessing fallopian tube patency

Abstract

Objective To explore the correlation between injection peak pressure and tubal patency during real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography(RT 3D-HyCoSy). Methods One hundred and seven patients who were scheduled to undergo transvaginal RT 3D-HyCoSy with SonoVue contrast agent were included in the study. They were injected with contrast agent by an YLD-YZ-800 auto contrast agent injection device. The patients were divided into tubal patency included bilateral patency group, one side patency group and bilateral positive group according to imaging results. During the examination, the injection peak pressure was recorded to analyze whether there were significant differences among the three groups. Results The contrast agent injection peak pressures of bilateral patency group, one side patency group and bilateral positive group were (34.58±8.25)kPa, (44.85±10.05)kPa and (54.26±11.65)kPa, respectively. The differences of injection pressure among the three groups were statistically significant (F=38.732; P=0.000, 0.000, 0.033). The peak pressure was negatively correlated with tubal patency (r=-0.653, P=0.000). Conclusions Contrast agent injection peak pressure is associated with tubal patency in RT 3D-HyCoSy, and can be quantitatively measured to help for assessing fallopian tube patency. Key words: Ultrasonography, real-time three-dimensional; Contrast Media; Hysterosalpingography; Injection pressure; Fallopian tube patency