Diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of color Doppler mapping for tubal patency.

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of color Doppler mapping for tubal patency, comparing its results with those of hysterosalpingography (HSG) and laparoscopy.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A prospective clinical study was conducted in 36 subfertile women who were offered laparoscopy after HSG evaluation. All infertile couples were evaluated with basic infertility procedures. After HSG assessment, laparoscopy was offered when evidence of either unilateral or bilateral tubal obstruction was observed. One day before the operation, transvaginal ultrasound scanning of the pelvis and color Doppler mapping were performed. The findings of sonography, HSG and laparoscopy were compared.

RESULTS

Sixty-four of 72 fallopian tubes were evaluated and four patients were excluded from the analysis because of technical difficulties. The sensitivity of color Doppler mapping for detecting tubal patency was 76.2% with a specificity of 81.4%. The positive and negative predictive values were 66.7% and 87.5%, respectively. The concordance rate was 79.7%. The false positivity rate for color Doppler mapping and HSG were observed as 19% and 35%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Color Doppler mapping as an adjunct to an abnormal HSG may decrease the need for laparoscopic intervention for the diagnosis of tubal disorders.