Hysterosalpingography using Magnetic Resonance Imaging for infertility patients

• Published in: JBRA assisted reproduction Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 403 - 411
• Main Authors: Mattos, Leandro Accardo de, Sauer, Luísa Jacques, Blasbalg, Roberto, Petta, Carlos Aberto, Pereira, Ricardo Mendes, Carvalho, Luiz Fernando Pina de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Reprodução Humana (Brazilian Society of Assisted Reproduction) 2021; Brazilian Society of Assisted Reproduction
• Subjects: Agreements; Catheters; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Humans; Hysterosalpingography; Infertility; Infertility, Female - diagnostic imaging; Intubation; Literature reviews; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Original; Pain; Patients; Permeability; Prospective Studies; Visualization; X-rays; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Hysterosalpingography; Image; Tubal factor Infertility; infertility
• ISSN: 1518-0557; 1517-5693; 1518-0557
• DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20210002

Some studies have shown that it is possible to evaluate tubal permeability through MRI. Our aim is to perform a prospective study and to perform a comprehensive review in the literature regarding HSG-MRI. We carried out a PUBMED search using the following keywords: hysterosalpingogram, hysterosalpingography, magnetic resonance imaging and MRI. As inclusion criteria, we included only papers published in English, and exams ran on humans. We also conducted a prospective inclusion of patients who had visited a human reproduction clinic between May/2017 and April/2019 for laboratory image diagnoses using HSG-MRI. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included seven original papers. Review papers and those written in a language other than English, were excluded. Between the period of May/2017 and April/2019, we selected ten patients for our study. The average exam duration was 30 minutes. Cervical catheterization was possible in all cases. There were no major complications. We highlight that in 8/9 of patients, we could directly visualize uterine tubes with contrast (excluding one patient with bilateral tubal ligation). Our initial experience with HSG-MRI shows promise. We demonstrated an optimized protocol for conducting an HSG-MRI (with excellent image quality). HSG-MRI had some advantages, such as not using ionized radiation, less pain and being able to analyze pelvic anatomy. Patients referred for a pelvic MRI as part of a more detailed investigation into infertility can also benefit from undergoing a simultaneous HSG using MRI.