Salpingitis isthmica nodosa : Technical success and outcome of fluoroscopic transcervical fallopian tube recanalization

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 31 - 35
• Main Authors: HOUSTON, J. G, MACHAN, L. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.01.1998; Berlin
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Catheterization - methods; Constriction, Pathologic - diagnostic imaging; Constriction, Pathologic - therapy; FAILURES; Female; Fluoroscopy; Follow-Up Studies; Genital system. Mammary gland; Humans; Hysterosalpingography; Infertility, Female - etiology; Infertility, Female - therapy; Medical sciences; PATIENTS; PREGNANCY; Pregnancy, Ectopic - etiology; Pregnancy, Ectopic - therapy; RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Retrospective Studies; Salpingitis - complications; Salpingitis - diagnostic imaging; Salpingitis - therapy; Treatment Outcome; TUBES; VASCULAR DISEASES; Human; Reproduction diseases; Prognosis; Pregnancy disorders; Treatment efficiency; Instrumentation therapy; Female sterility; Female genital diseases; Focal nodular hyperplasia; Treatment; Complication; Diverticulum; Evolution; Salpingitis; Repermeabilization; Ectopic pregnancy; Fallopian tube isthmus; Fallopian tube pathology; Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
• ISSN: 0174-1551; 1432-086X
• DOI: 10.1007/s002709900207

To evaluate the technical success and outcome of fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) in salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN). SIN is a well-recognized pathological condition affecting the proximal fallopian tube and is associated with infertility and ectopic pregnancy. We reviewed the presentations, films, and case records of all patients attending for FTR for infertility from 1990 to 1994. Technical success and total, intrauterine, and ectopic pregnancy rates at follow-up were determined. SIN was observed in 22 of 349 (6%) patients. FTR was attempted in 34 tubes in these 22 patients. Technical success was achieved in 23 of 34 (68%) tubes affected by SIN. In 5 of the 11 failed recanalizations, failure was due to distal obstruction. At least one tube was patent on selective postprocedural salpingography in 17 of 22 (77%) patients. There were no recorded perforations or complications. At follow-up (mean 14 months), total, intrauterine, and ectopic pregnancy rates were 23%, 18%, and 4.5%, respectively. FTR in SIN is technically successful and, compared with previously reported results in unselected infertility patients, is associated with only a slightly less favorable intrauterine pregnancy rate and a comparable ectopic pregnancy rate. The findings of SIN at FTR should not discourage attempted fluoroscopic transcervical recanalization.