Ultrasonography reappraisal of tubal patency in assisted reproduction technology patients: comparison between 2D and 3D-sonohysterosalpingography. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare 2D and 3D-sonohysterosalpingography (2D-3D-HyFoSy) with previous diagnostic laparoscopy in the diagnosis of tubal patency, and compare each procedure in terms of procedure's time, perceived pain and complication rate. METHODS: We prospectively recruited infertile women, previously submitted to laparoscopy and randomly allocated into 2D-HyFoSy (group I) and 3D-HyFoSy (group II). We analyzed the results in term of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in tubal patency evaluation of both procedures in comparison with laparoscopy. RESULTS: We enrolled 50 women, 25 in group I and 25 in group II. 2D-HyFoSy findings obtained in group I, were concordant with laparoscopy in 81% of cases, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 92%. In group II, a correspondence was present in 88% of examinations, with a sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 91.4% respectively. 3D-HyFoSy was found to be faster and less painful than 2D (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the diagnosis of tubal occlusion, in the high-risk population, it seems advisable to us using the 3D-HyFoSy as the first-level examination, while, in low-risk patients, if the tubes appear obstructed in 2D-HyFoSy, the 3D-HyFoSy should be indicated before submitting patients to operative laparoscopy.

Thyroid function in infertile patients undergoing assisted reproduction.

PROBLEM: Thyroid disease is one of the most common endocrine conditions affecting women during reproductive age. A link between thyroid and assisted reproduction outcome is debated. METHOD OF STUDY: Serum TSH levels, number and scoring of oocytes and embryos, and number of clinical pregnancies were retrospectively recorded in 164 women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies (ART) at an University-based fertility center, to evaluate the outcome of the first steps of assisted reproduction (ovarian stimulation, oocyte pickup and fertilization, embryo transfer and implantation) in relation to thyroid function and autoimmunity. RESULTS: No significant relationship was found between TSH and all parameters, except clinical pregnancy rate (22.3% in TSH ≤ 2.5 group versus 8.9% in TSH > 2.5 mUI/L group; P = 0.045). No pregnancy occurred in women with anti-thyroperoxidase autoantibodies, while pregnancy occurred in 23.9% of cycles without autoimmunity (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Further studies must be conducted in order to shed light on the link between infertility and thyroid dysfunction.