Radionuclide Hysterosalpingography Is Not a Reliable Tool for Investigation of Fallopian Tube Transport – A Controlled Randomized Study Using Particles of Two Sizes during Three Different Parts of the Menstrual Cycle

Background/Aims: Earlier studies with radionuclide hysterosalpingography (RN-HSG) using either small or large particles have shown different results. Some studies have questioned the clinical relevance of RN-HSG. The aim of this study was to evaluate the RN-HSG method using two different sizes of radio-labelled particles during different parts of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Ten healthy women, 28–40 years of age (mean 34.5), with proven fertility, regular menstrual cycle, not using oral contraceptives and due to undergo laparoscopic sterilization, were randomized to RN-HSG after deposition of a solution with either small Albures or large MAASOL, 99mTc-radio-labelled particles into the cervix uteri. Investigations were, for every patient, performed during the follicular, peri-ovulatory and mid-luteal parts of the menstrual cycle. Transport of radioactivity from cervix to uterus and Fallopian tubes was evaluated. Results: The RN-HSG investigations could not show any difference between the two different sizes of radio-labelled particles. Transport of radioactivity to the Fallopian tube was seen only in some cases and most frequently during the peri-ovulatory period. Conclusion: We found the RN-HSG investigations inconclusive. The RN-HSG method does not seem to be a reliable tool for the investigation of Fallopian tube transport.