Disease processes identified by hysterosalpingography
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A 24 year retrospective analysis of the referral indications, clinical history, and radiological procedure and findings in women referred for hysterosalpingography for the investigation infertility and other reproductive disorders.
IRAS ID
254621
Contact name
Anne P Hemingway
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study involves the retrospective collection and collation of data relating to women referred for a hysterosalpingogram (HSG).
A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a radiological investigation that involves infusing an iodinated contrast agent into the female reproductive system under imaging control to visualise the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes. Indications for referral for the procedure include the investigation of primary and secondary infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and post-operative evaluation following uterine and /or tubal surgery.
All women referred to this unit since 1996 have been examined under the direction of a small number of experienced consultant radiologists utilising a standardised technique. A proforma (Appendix 1) to allow the recording of current and past reproductive, medical and surgical history, procedural details and radiological interpretation has been completed in all patients and forms part of their imaging record.
An HSG is widely thought to primarily be a test of tubal patency (NICE: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg156/chapter/Recommendations#investigation-of-fertility-problems-and-management-strategies - section 1.3.8), and whilst it represents the gold standard for this it is the practical experience of the radiologists involved in this study that the range of tubal and uterine pathology that is diagnosed is both significant and underestimated.
The study will aim to capture and illustrate the clinical presentation, procedural details and imaging findings in over 10,000 consecutive HSGs undertaken between 1996 and 2019 in order to determine the full range of pathology that is demonstrated by the procedure.REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A