The limited value of hysterosalpingography in assessing tubal status and fertility potential

To determine whether the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of hysterosalpingography (HSG) could be improved if routine spot films were replaced by an on-line recorded gynecoradiologic study.

Medical school-affiliated private infertility center.

In 1992, a review of 152 infertile women with infertility who demonstrated a normal HSG, by standard criteria of spot film evaluation, in 117 (77%). They were further investigated by gynecoradiologic study if the HSG revealed asymmetrical tubal filling, an increased perfusion pressure, and/or evidence for abnormal tubal spill. In 1993, 47 women with normal HSG by spot film criteria underwent bilateral selective salpingography and were subdivided into those with normal (group I, n = 23) and abnormal (group II, n = 24) tubal perfusion pressures.

Patients in both study groups then were treated for their infertility independently of pressure perfusion measurements.

Clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) over the ensuing 6 to 10 months.

Among 117 women with apparently normal spot film HSG, 64 (55%) demonstrated asymmetrical tubal filling, 32 (27%) demonstrated abnormal spillage into the peritoneal cavity, and 55 (47%) demonstrated abnormally elevated injection pressures. Among 98 women who underwent bilateral selective salpingography, 43 (44%) demonstrated bilaterally normal tubal perfusion pressures and 55 (56%) showed an abnormally elevated pressure in at least one oviduct. Of 47 women that were followed prospectively in 1993, patients with normal perfusion pressure (group I) demonstrated a significantly higher PR than women with elevated tubal pressure (group II) from 2 months and on after the procedure.

Routine spot film HSG is of limited value in assessing tubal status beyond the determination of tubal patency. Especially with regard to fertility potential, HSG should be replaced by gynecoradiologic study.