A Spectrum of Hysterosalpingographic Findings in Infertile Women in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a major clinico-social issue in Nigeria. Hysterosalpingography (HSG) iscommonly used in the investigation of causes of female infertility.Objective:To evaluate the HSG technique and radiographic findings among infertile women examined in a tertiary health institution in Benin, Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: The study was a prospective survey. Both ethical approval and consents of women recruited for the studywere obtained before the study commenced. A convenience sample of 238 women was recruited for the study.Data collection:Literature was reviewed to determine if HSG was performed in accordance with current imaging best practices in the center studied. Furthermore, radiologist's reports of all HSG examinations performed in the center within the study period were reviewed to determine HSG detected common causes of female infertility in Benin, Nigeria. Data analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS computer software, version 17.0. Results were presented in tables and bar charts.Results revealed that investigation of causes of female infertility were still being performed using the traditional fluoroscopic HSG technique with static x-ray machine in the center during the period studied. Whereas 37.0% of women referred for HSG were in the 34-39 years age range, 70.0% percent of them were investigated for secondary infertility. Twenty-five (25.0%) percent of women studied had normal HSG examinations,27.0% had tubal occlusion while 17% had uterine fibroids. Conclusions; in spite of HSG technique in the center studied not being performed in accordance with current imaging best practices, the modality still plays a significant role in the investigation of female infertility. Furthermore, tubal occlusion and leiomyoma were the most common HSG detected uterine lesions among the population of infertile women studied.