Ultrasound Guided Transcervical Fallopian Tube Catheterization During Hysterosalpingo-foam Sonography in the Treatment of Proximal Tubal Obstruction

Tubal catheterization is usually reserved for infertility treatment in selected cases of proximal tubal occlusion. As the incidence of this condition is limited to approximately 10-20% of women with mechanical infertility, the hitherto published data concerning the best therapeutic approach for these patients is scarce.

Hysterolaparoscopy with dye instillation is considered the gold standard for comprehensive evaluation of the female reproductive organs. Moreover, while the gold standard for evaluation of the uterine cavity is diagnostic hysteroscopy and hydrosonography, tubal patency may be validated by either hystrosalpingography, or ultrasonic evaluation using Echovist-200. However, interpretation of the passage of contrast medium into the proximal portion of the tube remains somewhat uncertain.

Since hysterolaparoscopy with dye instillation, is an expensive and an invasive procedure, with potentially life-threatening risks, the search for a safer and less invasive techniques is still ongoing. In 2012, Hysterosalpingo-Foam Sonography was introduced as a new technique for assessing fallopian tube patency. During the exam, the passage of a hyper-echogenic foam composed of a mixture of gel and purified water can be visualized as it progresses from the uterine cavity through the fallopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity. Hysterosalpingo-foam sonography is a promising alternative for laparoscopy and hysterosalpingography with regard to accuracy and effectiveness and has been suggested as a first step test of tubal assessment since it is relatively safe, non (embryo-) toxic and non-invasive.

In the present report the investigators aim to perform an ultrasound guided transcervical fallopian tube catheterization during hysterosalpingo-foam sonographyin the treatment of proximal tubal obstruction. This "one stop - shop" procedure combines uterine cavity investigation and assessment of tubal patency, with the concomitant advantage of therapeutic tubal re-canalization.