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Hysterosalpingogram
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Description and Purpose
An Hysterosalpingogram (also referred to as hysterogram ,
hysterosalpingography , uterography , uterotubography ,
and uterosalpingography ), is a procedure where radiopaque contrast
dye is used to highlight the reproductive tract while being X-rayed. The
aims of this procedure include:
- To diagnose tubal obstruction as a cause of infertility.
- To detect suspected ,
, or developmental
abnormalities in the
and .
- To evaluate the fallopian tubes before or after sterilisation reversal
surgery.
- To evaluate in women with a history of .
Preparation and Procedure
The test will be scheduled during the early part of the (between menstruation and ovulation), when pregnancy is unlikely.
This is due to the fact that this test should not be carried out
on a pregnant woman.
An X-ray machine is suspended over the abdomen and a speculum
is inserted into the vagina to hold it open. Then a thin, grasping instrument
called a tenaculum is inserted to hold the
cervix in place.
A thin catheter is inserted through the cervix
into the uterus and radiopaque contrast dye
is instilled through the catheter. This usually causes several minutes
of cramping and may result in spasm.
The gynaecologist and radiologist watch the dye on a fluoroscope screen
as it enters the uterus and spreads through the fallopian tubes, looking
for abnormalities. 4 to 8 X-rays are taken at various intervals as the
dye travels through the reproductive tract.
A variation of this technique is the sonohysterogram ,
where a catheter is inserted into the uterine cavity to instil fluid to
distend the uterus, which is then examined via for space-occupying structures.
The information in this page is presented in summarised form and has been taken
from the following source(s):
1.
The Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to
Medical Tests, Barry L. Zaret M.D., Senior Editor, published by Houghton Mifflin.
Online: common_procedures/doppler_ultrasound.html
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Introduction
