SALPINGOSCOPIC FINDINGS IN WOMEN WITH OCCLUSIVE AND NONOCCLUSIVE SALPINGITIS ISTHMICA NODOSA

Study Objective: To characterize ampullary endosalpingeal findings in women with occlusive or nonocclusive salpingitis isthmica nodosa. Desi gn: Prospective case study. Setting: Obstetrics and Gynecology Departm ent of a University Hospital. Patients: Twenty women (38 tubes) with o cclusive or nonocclusive salpingitis isthmica nodosa were studied. Int erventions: Salpingoscopy was performed during diagnostic laparoscopy in 20 women (38 tubes) with hysterosalpingographic evidence of salping itis isthmica nodosa. Main Outcome Measures: Salpingoscopic findings w ere recorded and the patients were managed accordingly. Results: Of th e 38 tubes 10 appeared radiographically and laparoscopically normal. T wo tubes were occluded distally. Of the 26 tubes with occlusive or non occlusive salpingitis isthmica nodosa, 5 (19.2%) showed varying degree s of endosalpingeal abnormality. Patients with abnormal salpingoscopy were regarded as having bipolar tubal disease and were referred for as sisted conception. The remaining patients were scheduled for microsurg ical tubal reconstruction. Conclusions: One in five patients with prox imal tubal disease may have ampullary endosalpingeal damage of varying degrees. However, the significance of this finding in relation to sub sequent management strategies and fertility outcome is yet to be chara cterized.