Radiological assessment of the uterus and fallopian tubes in infertile women at Abakaliki, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES This study is aimed at determining the pattern of abnormalities in the Hysterosalpingograms of patients who attended the Radiology Unit of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. METHOD The 188 hysterosalpingograms conducted between January 2002 to December 2005 were analysed.. RESULTS The mean age in this study was 31 years. Forty-one (21.8%) Hysterosalpingograms were normal. Abnormality of the Fallopian tubes constituted 54.6% of all abnormalities recorded, uterine 33.6% and cervical 11.8%. Cornual occlusion and hydrosalpinx were the leading abnormalities of the Fallopian tube, 32.2% and 20.3% respectively, while beading of the Fallopian tubes was the least tubal abnormality recorded in 1.4%. Uterine fibroid was the leading uterine abnormality in the study (44.5%), and uterine unicornis unicollis and bicornuate uterus were the least abnormalities of the uterus recorded with 0.8% respectively. Cervical synechiae was the only cervical abnormality recorded in the study (11.8%). CONCLUSION Hysterosalpingogram is relevant in outlining abnormalities of the fallopian tube and uterus especially in patients with infertility. The study suggests that abnormalities of the Fallopian tube are probably still a prominent contributor to infertility in our community.