Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and the reliability of hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) using gel foam in the assessment of tubal patency. Methods: Nonrandomized, observational, academic and single-center study of 20 women being investigated because of subfertility and scheduled for a laparoscopy with chromopertubation. A detailed description of HyFoSy with a newly developed gel foam is given in the way it proved to be most efficient in our hands. The results of HyFoSy are compared to the data regarding tubal patency testing during laparoscopy by chromopertubation. Results: All 20 HyFoSy were technically successful. Four of the 40 tubes, 1 right tube and 3 left tubes, were not patent at HyFoSy (3 tubes with proximal block and 1 tube with distal block). There was a 100% agreement between tubal patency data according to HyFoSy testing and laparoscopic chromopertubation testing. Conclusion: HyFoSy is both feasible and accurate in the diagnosis of tubal patency.

1.
Baramki TA: Hysterosalpingography. Fertil Steril 2005;83:1595-1606.
2.
Chan CC, Ng EH, Tang OS, Chan KK, Ho PC: Comparison of three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography and diagnostic laparoscopy with chromopertubation in the assessment of tubal patency for the investigation of subfertility. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2005;84:909-913.
3.
Matorras R, Rodriguez F, Pêrez C, Pijoan JI, Echanojauregui A, Rodriguez-Escudero FJ: Agreement between hysterosalpingography and laparoscopic chromopertubation in assessment of tubal patency. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 1998;25:29-31.
4.
Exacoustos C, Zupi E, Carusotti C, Lanzi G, Marconi D, Arduini D: Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography compared with hysterosalpingography and laparoscopic dye perturbation to evaluate tubal patency. J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 2003;10:367-372.
5.
Saunders RD, Shwayder JM, Nakajima ST: Current methods of tubal patency assessment. Fertil Steril 2011;95:2171-2179.
6.
Tamási F, Weidner A, Domokos N, Bedros RJ, Bagdány S: Echovist-200 enhanced hystero-sonography: a new technique in the assessment of infertility. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2005;121:186-190.
7.
Exacoustos C, Zupi E, Szabolcs B, Amoroso C, Di Giovanni A, Romanini ME, Arduini D: Contrast-tuned imaging and second-generation contrast agent SonoVue: a new ultrasound approach to evaluation of tubal patency. J Min Inv Gynecol 2009;16:437-444.
8.
Lanzani C, Savasi V, Leone FP, Ratti M, Ferrazzi E: Two-dimensional HyCoSy with contrast tuned imaging technology and a second-generation contrast media for the assessment of tubal patency in an infertility program. Fertil Steril 2009;92:1158-1161.
9.
Luciano DE, Exacoustos C, Johns DA, Luciano AA: Can hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography replace hysterosalpingography in confirming tubal blockage after hysteroscopic sterilization and in the evaluation of the uterus and tubes in infertile patients? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011;204:79.e1-e5.
10.
Lim CP, Hasafa Z, Bhattacharya S, Maheshwari A: Should a hysterosalpingogram be a first-line investigation to diagnose female tubal subfertility in the modern subfertility workup? Hum Reprod 2011;26:967-971.
11.
Ahinko-Hakamaa K, Huhtala H, Tinkanen H: The validity of air and saline hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography in tubal patency investigation before insemination treatment. Eur J Obstet gynecol Reprod Med 2007;132:83-87.
12.
Savelli L, Pollastri P, Guerrini M, Villa G, Manuzzi L, Mabrouk M, Rossi S, Seracchioli R: Tolerability, side effects, and complications of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy). Fertil Steril 2009;92:1481-1486.
13.
Exacoustos C, Di Giovanni A, Szabolcs B, Binder-Reisinger H, Gabardi C, Arduini D: Automated sonographic tubal patency evaluation with three-dimensional coded contrast imaging (CCI) during hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy). Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2009;34:609-612.
14.
Exacoustos C, Di Giovanni A, Szabolcs B, Romeo V, Romanini ME, Luciano D, Zupi E, Arduini D: Automated three-dimensional coded contrast hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography: feasibility in office tubal patency testing. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012, Doi: 10.1002/uog.11200.
15.
Van den Bosch T, Betsas G, Van Schoubroeck D, Daemen A, Vandenbroucke V, Cornelis A, De Moor B, Deprest J, Timmerman D: Gel infusion sonography (GIS) in the evaluation of the uterine cavity. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2009;34:711-714.
16.
Werbrouck E, Veldman J, Luts J, Van Huffel S, Van Schoubroeck D, Timmerman D, Van den Bosch T: Detection of endometrial pathology using saline infusion sonography (SIS) versus gel instillation sonography (GIS): a prospective cohort study. Fertil Steril 2011;95:285-288.
17.
Emanuel MH, van Vliet M, Weber M, Exalto N: First experiences with hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) for office tubal patency testing. Hum Reprod 2012;27:114-117.
18.
Revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification of endometriosis: 1996. Fertil Steril 1997;67:817-821.
19.
Nirmal D, Griffiths AN, Jose G, Evans J: Warming Echovist contrast medium for hysterocontrastsonography and the effect on the incidence of pelvic pain. A randomized controlled study. Hum Reprod 2006;21:1052-1054.
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.