Publication:

Gynecologic radiology in fertility treatment: assessing tubal patency and ovarian reserve

Background A tubal patency test is a medical procedure that can help determine if a woman is having trouble conceiving due to blocked fallopian tubes. Fallopian tubal pathology is a primary risk factor for female infertility. Ovarian reserve is the number of healthy eggs in a woman's ovaries, and it’s a measure of the ability to have children. This study aimed to assess tubal patency and ovarian reserve in fertility treatment.

Methods In a retrospective cohort study, 75 women aged 18-40, treated from January to December 2023, were included. Fallopian tube patency was tested using hysterosalpingography, hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography, or laparoscopic chromopertubation.

Results Of 75 women, 19 (25.5%) were found to have at least one blocked fallopian tube. Unilateral blockage was more common than bilateral blockage, occurring in 12 out of the 19 cases (63.2%) compared to 7 out of 19 cases (36.8%). Mainly, blockages occurred near the opening of the fallopian tubes 86.2%. After adjusting for other factors, the presence of hydrosalpinx (odds ratio, OR, 13.323, 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.679-66.253, p=0.002) and myomas (OR 2.108, 95%CI: 1.008-4.409; p=0.048) were statistically significant factors associated with fallopian tube blockage.

Conclusions Gynecologic radiology is still of major relevance in fertility evaluation. The presence of uterine myomas and hydrosalpinges significantly increases the risk.