Development of hydrosalpinx during ovulation induction.

We have observed that hydrosalpinx develops in some patients undergoing ovulation induction as part of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and gamete intrafallopian transfer programs. Increased tubal secretions due to multihormonal stimulation causes a blocked tube to distend by the time of oocyte harvest. In a subset of women, hydrosalpinx was not identified on initial pelvic sonograms. Hydrosalpinx became apparent during serial sonography to monitor follicular development. We performed a retrospective chart review of these cases in order to confirm this finding with hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy. Nine of 316 women developed unilateral (eight cases) or bilateral hydrosalpinx (one case) during stimulation. Recognition of this sonographic finding is important to the referring physician because it has important therapeutic and outcome implications.