LABORATORY REPORT - Sonographic Assessment of Fallopian Tube Patency in the Investigation of Female Infertility in Ilorin, Nigeria

This study was conducted to bring into focus the value of pelvic sonograms in assessing tubal patency in order to overcome the radiation hazard associated with hysterosalpingogram (HSG), reduce cost of examination and encourage it as first-line office-based procedure for management of female infertility Fifty consecutive female patients primarily designated for HSG underwent pre- and post-HSG pelvic sonograms and the results were documented. Agreement between HSG and SHSG was established in 89 of 100 (89%) fallopian tubes. The sensitivity of sonohysterosalpingography (SHSG) in diagnosing tubal patency was 85.5% and the specificity 96.80/0. Analysis of the raw data gave positive predictive value of 98.3% and negative predictive value of 75%. It is accepted that there is no statistically significant difference (p = 0.237) between the results of the two methods (HSG and SHSG). SHSG is found to be a reliable, relatively inexpensive diagnostic and therapeutic (guided hydrotubation) procedure in the management of female infertility