Abstract
Fallopian tube catheterization with selective salpingography is a new technique for the diagnosis of tubal factors of sterility and also for the treatment of proximal tubal obstruction (PTO). In this study, 156 women, 20–42 years of age, with a mean duration of infertility of 5.7 years, who presented at conventional hysterosalpingography (HSG) a unilateral or bilateral PTO, were studied. Catheterization and selective salpingography was successful in 93% of the cases. Failures (6.1%) were ascribed to obliterative organic diseases, where it was impossible to overcome the stenosis with the catheter or the guidewire. Fourteen spontaneous pregnancies were obtained (7 full term deliveries, 4 miscarriages, 3 tubal pregnancies) and 11 patients became pregnant after gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT). At follow-up, after 12 monts, four out of ten patients had patent tubes, while six presented a new unilateral or bilateral PTO. No major complications occurred; nevertheless, it is acknowledged that ectopic pregnancy is a possible outcome, due to the mechanical re-establishment of patency in a non-functioning tube.
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Zanon, E., Mallarini, G., Ferraiolo, A. et al. Selective salpingography and tubaric catheterization in the diagnosis and treatment of fallopian tube obstruction. Eur. Radiol. 2, 240–243 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00595837
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00595837