Three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (3D-HyCoSy) as an outpatient procedure to assess infertile women: a pilot study

Objectives This study aimed to assess the use of three dimensional hysteros alpingo-contrast sonography (3DHyCoSy) as a routine outpatient procedure fo r evaluating infertile women. Methods In 25 unselected infertile patients, tubal patency and uterine cavi ty were investigated by 3D-HyCoSy with saline as a contrast medium. The eff icacy of the procedure teas evaluated with X-ray hysterosalplngography (XHS G) as reference. Results The positive predictive value, negative Predictive value, sensitivi ty, and specificity of predicting tubal patency by 3D-HyCoSy were 100, 33.3 , 84.4, and 100%, respectively. The full contour of the uterine cavity was depicted in 96% of cases by 3D-HyCoSy and 64% by XHSG (P < 0.005). The uter ine cavity area measured on 3D-HyCoSy coil-elated well with the volume of c ontrast medium required on XHSG (r(2) = 0.8166). Conclusions 3D-HyCoSy provided advantages of better assessment of uterine c avity over XHSG. Compared with conventional XHSG, the efficacy of 3D-HyCoSy to assess tubal patency was acceptable. In addition, the procedure of 3D-H yCoSy appears to be better tolerated requiring no sedation or anesthesia an d a reduced examination time. Thus, 3D-HyCoSy with saline as a contrast med ium is feasible and could comprise a routine outpatient procedure in the in itial evaluation of infertile women.