Comparison of Assessment Methods for Fallopian Tubal Patency and Peritubal Adhesion Between Transvaginal 4-Dimensional Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography and Laparoscopic Chromopertubation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare transvaginal 4-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography with laparoscopic chromopertubation and evaluate the former's clinical value in assessing fallopian tubal patency and peritubal adhesion.

METHODS: Fifty-six patients visiting infertility clinics were included in the study and underwent surgery by their own choice in 1 month. In total, 112 fallopian tubes were assessed. Twenty-five were primarily infertile, and the rest were secondarily infertile. Laparoscopic chromopertubation was taken as the reference standard.

RESULTS: In a comparison of fallopian tubal patency between transvaginal hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography and laparoscopic chromopertubation, the sensitivity, specify, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography for diagnosing blocked fallopian tubes were 88.4%, 85.2%, 90.5%, and 82.1% respectively. In a comparison of spray at the fimbrial end between the no-peritubal adhesion and peritubal adhesion groups, the spray score at the fimbrial end in the no-peritubal adhesion group was significantly lower than that in the peritubal adhesion group. In a comparison of periovarian diffusion between the no-peritubal adhesion and peritubal adhesion groups, the periovarian diffusion score in the no-peritubal adhesion group was significantly lower than that in the peritubal adhesion group. In a comparison of periovarian diffusion between the patent-tube and blocked groups confirmed by chromopertubation, the periovarian diffusion score in the patent group was significantly lower than that in the blocked group.

CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography is a method with high sensitivity and specificity for screening fallopian tubal patency and peritubal adhesion.