Hysterosalpingographic findings in primary and secondary infertility patients

OBJECTIVES: To highlight and compare spectrum of hysterosalpingography (HSG) findings in primary and secondary infertility patients. METHODS: This retrospective record-based cross-sectional study was performed in the Radiology Department, King Fahad Military Medical City, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between August 2016 and 2018. All patients (N=303) who underwent successful HSGs were included, and grouped under primary and secondary infertility cases. Patients with failed, limited or incomplete studies were excluded. Imaging findings were documented as N (Normal) or Ab (Abnormal). Abnormal HSG findings were further categorized as: C=congenital malformation, I=infection or inflammation, S=surgery, T=tumor or tear. Abnormal findings were confirmed on further imaging or intervention. Chi-square test was used to determine any association of HSG findings with type of infertility, and p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of the 303 patients, 166 patients (54.8%) had primary infertility while the rest had secondary infertility. Abnormal studies were found in less than one-third of patients (n=93, 30.7%). Primary infertility patients exhibited more congenital (C) malformations, while surgery (S) was seen more in secondary infertility patients (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Congenital malformations are commonly found abnormalities on HSGs in primary infertility patients, while surgery related findings are seen in secondary infertility cases.