Three-Dimensional Ultrasound versus Hysteroscopy in Uterine Cavity Assessment after Failed Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: a study for accuracy of a diagnostic test

Abstract

Background: Implantation failure after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is related to either maternal factors or embryonic causes. The maternal factors include uterine anatomic abnormalities either congenital or acquired. Three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound allows detailed evaluation of pelvic organs. Office hysteroscopy is the gold standard tool for visualization of intracavitary lesions and the cervical canal in an office-based environment. Aim of The Work: It was to compare between three-dimensional ultrasound (3D USS) and hysteroscopy for evaluation of the intrauterine cavity after trial of ICSI and to study the accuracy of diagnostic test in a tertiary care facility. Patients and Methods: It was a prospective; blinded; controlled clinical trial comparative study. Both hysteroscopy and 3D USS procedures were done for uterine cavity assessment after failed attempt of ICSI treatment for fifty-two asymptomatic infertile women. Results: Seventeen cases of our studied patients were without intracavitary or cervical lesions. From all studied cases, lesions (n=66) were seen either by hysteroscopy or by 3D USS where lesions (n=24) were seen by hysteroscopy and seen by ultrasound. Lesions (n=34) were seen by hysteroscopy. Lesions (n=36) were seen by ultrasound. Measure of agreement of Kappa was 0.273. Overall sensitivity of 3D USS was 70.59% and specificity 62.50% with positive predictive value (PPV) 66.67% and negative predictive value (NPV) 66.67%, accuracy was 66.67%, positive likehood ratio (LR+ve) 1.88% and negative likehood (LR-ve) 0.47%. The p-value was 0.026, which is statistically significant. Conclusion: It is important to investigate the uterine cavity in infertile women with history of unsuccessful ICSI. 3D USS has a good sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of uterine cavity abnormalities and it could be used before hysteroscopy as a first line of investigation of intrauterine lesions.