An assessment of hysterosalpingosonography (HSSG) as a diagnostic tool for uterine cavity defects and tubal patency

Abstract

The value of hysterosalpingosonography (HSSG) as a diagnostic tool was evaluated in 76 patients and compared to hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, and/or hysterosalpingographic (HSG) findings. Saline solution and Dextran 60 were used as distension media. Patients were divided in three groups: group A (n = 22), patients submitted for control post-tubal electrocoagulation. Group B (n = 38), patients with a history of pathological metrorrhagias, and group C (n = 16) infertile women with possible tubal pathology. Comparison between the different diagnostic techniques for the evaluation of the uterine cavity and tubes was carried out. Our results indicated that HSSG had more sensitivity but less specificity than hysteroscopy or HSG in the diagnosis of uterine cavity pathology. Hysteroscopy seems to be the best technique for the diagnosis of endometrial pathology, and HSSG seems to be the most effective in the study of the myometrium. HSSG cannot be considered a reliable and accurate method for the diagnosis of tubal patency.