SONOGRAPHIC HYDROTUBATION USING AGITATED SALINE - A NEW TECHNIQUE FORIMPROVING FALLOPIAN-TUBE VISUALIZATION

Vaginal sonographic hydrotubation (SHT) was assessed in the evaluation of uterine configuration and tubal patency in 71 women undergoing inv estigation for infertility. In addition, a new technique using ''agita ted'' saline during transvaginal sonography was evaluated in 50 of the patients. Ultrasound was more sensitive in detecting uterine abnormal ities (89% compared with 6% for hysterosalpingography (HSG). Of 142 in dividual fallopian tubes studied, the diagnosis on SHT and HSG were th e same in 120 (85%). Laparoscopic results were available on 15 patient s. The findings on all 19 tubes in which the SHT and HSG diagnosis had concurred were confirmed. Of 11 tubes in which the diagnoses had diff ered, the laparoscopic finding agreed with the diagnosis made with SHT in seven, HSG in three, and neither in one. As shown in previous stud ies, sonographic hydrotubation is a simple technique with a high degre e of accuracy. The use of ''agitated'' saline improved the ease with w hich the fallopian tubes were visualized.