A randomized study comparing air to Echovist as a contrast medium in the assessment of tubal patency in infertile women using transvaginal salpingosonography.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare two different contrast media (air and Echovist) in the assessment of tubal patency using transvaginal salpingosonography (TSSG) in 32 infertile women referred to an infertility outpatient clinic. Altogether, 59 Fallopian tubes were examined with TSSG. Laparoscopic chromopertubation was used as a reference method. In group A (air), concordance was 90%, Cohen's kappa coefficient 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64-0.77], sensitivity 63%, specificity 100%, negative predictive value 88% and positive predictive value 100%. In group B (Echovist), the corresponding parameters were as follows: 93%, 0.71 (CI: 0.67-0.76), 60, 100, 93 and 100% respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between these two contrast media. Either one can reliably be used for assessing tubal patency with TSSG in infertile women as a primary phase examination modality.

• Authors: H Spalding, H Martikainen, A Tekay, P Jouppila
• Journal: Human reproduction (Oxford, England) (Hum Reprod) Vol. 12 Issue 11 Pg. 2461-4 (Nov 1997) ISSN: 0268-1161 [Print] England
• PMID: 9436685 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Polysaccharides
• SHU 454

Topics

• Adult
• Contrast Media
• Fallopian Tubes (physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hysterosalpingography (methods)
• Infertility, Female (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Polysaccharides