Effects of interstitial fallopian tube polyps on isthmic tubal diameter.

OBJECTIVE

To study the apparent association between interstitial fallopian tube polyps and isthmic tubal dilatation.

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

SETTING

Tertiary academic medical center.

PATIENT(S): Sixty-five patients with normal hysterosalpingograms and 40 patients with interstitial tubal polyps (25 unilateral and 15 bilateral).

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Proximal, medial, and distal isthmic diameters were measured digitally and normalized according to an internal standard. Polyp volumes were measured and divided into four groups according to increasing volume (<2 mm3, 2-5 mm3, 6-12 mm3, >12 mm3).

RESULT(S): There was a significant increase in proximal isthmic tubal diameter in patients with interstitial polyps. Mean diameter increased from 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm. There was no significant change in more distal isthmic diameters. Larger polyps tended to be associated with larger luminal diameters.

CONCLUSION(S): Interstitial fallopian tube polyps are associated with a significant increase in proximal isthmic luminal diameter as determined on hysterosalpingography. Although these polyps are nonobstructing and thus thought by most investigators not to affect fertility, their association with altered luminal diameter and perhaps altered function might be of clinical interest.