Evaluation of the Cesarean Scar Niche In Women With Secondary Infertility Undergoing ICSI Using 2D Sonohysterography Versus 3D Sonohysterography and Setting a Standard Criteria; Alalfy Simple Rules for Scar Assessment by Ultrasound To Prevent Health Problems for Women

BACKGROUND: Many expressions were used to define the defect that is seen by ultrasound after cesarean section (CS) namely scar defect, niche, isthmocele, uterine pouch or diverticula. OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of 2 dimensional sonohysterography (2D SHG) to 3 dimensional sonohysterography (3D SHG) in evaluating cesarean section uterine scar depth (D), base width (BW), width (W) and residual myometrial thickness (RMT) in women with secondary infertility and establishment of a standard criteria; Alalfy simple rules for scar assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional comparative study that was conducted on women who presented with secondary infertility and were candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and giving a history of a previous cesarean section. Assessment of uterine scar in each woman was performed using 2D transvaginal ultrasound with sonohysterography (SHG) followed by 3D transvaginal with SHG with evaluation of niche depth, width, RMT, niche BW and RMT/depth ratio. The study was conducted at Algezeera hospital, Egypt. RESULTS: The present study revealed that 3D ultrasound with SHG is superior in evaluation of the RMT and niche width prior to ICSI providing better characterization of the scar niche. CONCLUSION: Scar niche should be assessed by a combined integrated 2D SHG and 3D SHG scan with the specific geometrical and anatomical considerations, Alalfy simple rules for scar niche assessment that involvemeasurement of niche depth, (Base width) BW, width, RMT and RMT/depth ratio in sagittal plane, RMT in coronal plane / niche width in coronal plane ratio (ratio less than 1 denotes scar weakness with more liability for dehiscence). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov Id NCT04076904.