Investigation of tubal infertility by radionuclide migration

Abstract

Investigation of the tubal factor in infertility is limited to an assessment of anatomical structure and tubal patency. No test of ascendant tubal function is currently available. The migration of radionuclide (99mTc-labelled human albumin microspheres) through the genital tract in 96 infertile women was compared with pelvic findings at laparoscopy and chromopertubation. The radionuclide test correlated with laparoscopy in the diagnosis of patency or blockage in 83 cases (86%). In nine patients, where 'blockage' was diagnosed on the radionuclide test but patency found at laparoscopy, a higher prevalence of pelvic abnormality was found, compared to the 78 patients where both tests demonstrated patency (P less than 0.02). The radionuclide test may facilitate detection of diseased but patent tubes and, as an adjunct to laparoscopy and chromopertubation, may provide useful information about tubal function.

Decreased fertility in poor responder women is not related to oocyte morphological status

“…Ovulation dysfunction [2], scarring from inflammatory or infectious diseases [3], nutrient deficiencies [4], hormone imbalance [5], ovarian cysts [6], and transport system abnormality from the cervix through the fallopian tubes [7] are some of the causes of female infertility. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been developed in order to overcome both female and male infertility.…”

Salpingographic demonstration of “cobblestone” mucosa of the distal tubes is indicative of irreversible mucosal damage

“…How-ever, increased use of selective salpingography combined with transvaginal recanalization of obstructed proximal tubes should result in improved morphologic detail of proximal and distal fallopian tubes and demonstrate segments initially nonvisualized because of obstruction of the proximal tubes (6,7). The use of radionuclide migration in the oviduct offers another opportunity to gauge tubal function (8).…”