The pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings in women being investigated for infertility in Nnewi, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Tubal occlusion is the commonest cause of female infertility in the developing societies. Hysterosalpingography remains a vital method of assessing tubal patency especially in resource limited settings such as ours. OBJECTIVE To review the pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings among women being investigated for infertility in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria over a period of five years (2001-2005). METHOD The data obtained from the request forms and radiologists' reports were analyzed using SPSS version 11. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Of the 320 studied, 230 were found suitable for analysis. Their ages ranged from 20 to 44 years (mean 32.8 +/- 5.8 years). The indications were primary infertility in 103 (44.8%), secondary infertility in 88(38.3%), while in 39 (16.9%) patients the type of infertility was not specified. The reports revealed that 67 (29.1%) had normal HSG Cervical abnormalities were found in 34 (14.8%), uterine cavity abnormalities in 108 (47.0%). Tubal pathologies were seen in 100 (43.5%) with bilateral tubal occlusion in 43 (18.7%) and bilateral hydrosalpinges in 6 (2.6%) patients. CONCLUSION Tubal pathology remains a major contributor to female infertility in this part of the world.