Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021 Sep 18; 9(B):917-920. 917
Scientifc Foundation SPIROSKI, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2021 Sep 18; 9(B):917-920.
https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.6884
eISSN: 1857-9655
Category: B - Clinical Sciences
Section: Gynecology and Obstetrics
Evaluation of Uterine Cavity Abnormality using Saline Infusion
Sonohysterography Before In Vitro Fertilization
Ichwanul Adenin, Hilma Putri Lubis* , Binarwan Halim
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Faculty of Medicine,
Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Some studies suggested that saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) has been used to detect
uterine cavity abnormalities before in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles to improve treatment success rates and decrease
the number of cycle cancellations and embryo implantation failures. Some of the factors contributing to the
dissemination and acceptance of the technique include the fact that it is a simple, less painful, less expensive, less
invasive, and well-tolerated procedure when compared to hysteroscopy.
AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate uterine cavity abnormality with SIS performed before IVF.
METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study involving 551 female partners who had SIS before IVF/ICSI treatment
at private Halim Fertility Center from January 2014 until December 2017. Five hundred and ffty-one infertile woman
was included in this study before IVF/ICSI cycles. Patients agreed to have an ultrasound assessment of the uterine
cavity with the use of saline as the contrast medium. SIS procedure was scheduled postmenstrual period in the early-
mid follicular phase and 1-3 months before starting IVF/ICSI treatment.
RESULTS: From 551 patients, we found 527 (94.4%) cases with the normal uterine cavity. The uterine cavity
abnormalities were detected in 5.56% of cases included in this study (28 (5.02%) cases with endometrial polyps, two
(0.36%) cases with intrauterine adhesions, and one (0.18%) case with Müllerian duct anomalies).
CONCLUSION: SIS before IVF treatment could be a good option for evaluating uterus cavity before IVF to improve
success rates of pregnancy.
Edited by: Ksenija Bogoeva-Kostovska
Citation: Adenin I, Lubis HP, Halim B. Evaluation
of Uterine Cavity Abnormality using Saline Infusion
Sonohysterography Before In Vitro Fertilization. Open
Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021 Sep 18; 9(B):917-920.
https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.6884
Keywords: Saline Infusion Sonohysterography; In vitro
fertilization; Uterine cavity; Screening; Infertility
*Correspondence: Hilma Putri Lubis, Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive
Endocrinology and Infertility, Faculty of Medicine,
Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
E-mail: hilmaputrilubis@gmail.com
Received: 21-Jul-2021
Revised: 19-Aug-2021
Accepted: 14-Sep-2021
Copyright: © 2021 Ichwanul Adenin, Hilma Putri Lubis,
Binarwan Halim
Funding: This research did not receive any fnancial
support
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no
competing interests exist
Open Access: This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Introduction
Infertility is associated with the uterine cavity
abnormalities that are thought to be a contributing
factor of 10–15% of couples requiring treatment. An
abnormal intrauterine fnding is estimated to occur in
about 34–62% of infertile women. Because of the high
prevalence of uterine abnormalities, the evaluation of
the uterine cavity is routinely performed on the basic
evaluation of infertile women [1], [2]. The outcome of
assisted reproductive technique largely depends on
the receptivity of the endometrial lining of the uterus.
Measures aimed at evaluating the uterine cavity
before treatment are very vital for decision making and
hence contribute to the overall success rate. The true
prevalence of intrauterine lesions in infertile women is
not known but some studies have reported an incidence
of about 16–24% [3].
The diagnostic modalities that are commonly
employed to evaluate the regularity and shape of the
uterine cavity include a conventional 2-dimensional
(2-D) and 3-D transvaginal scan, saline infusion
sonography (SIS), hysterosalpingogram, and
hysteroscopy [3], [4]. Over the last three decades, SIS
has become an integral part of ultrasound imaging in
gynecology. SIS is a technique that can show better
visualization of the uterine cavity than conventional
transvaginal ultrasound (TVS). SIS is done by inserting
the liquid gradually into the uterine cavity through a
catheter inserted into the cervix. Some of the factors
contributing to the dissemination and acceptance of
the technique include the fact that it is a simple, less
painful, less expensive, less invasive, and well-tolerated
procedure when compared to hysteroscopy [4], [5]. In
addition, SIS can provide detailed information about the
uterus and endometrium.
SIS is indicated in the evaluation of the
uterine cavity of women with abnormal pre- and post-
menopausal uterine bleeding, infertility, recurrent
pregnancy loss, suspected uterine cavity abnormality,
myoma, polyps, or synechiae. SIS should not be
performed on women who are pregnant or women
planning to become pregnant or in women with
pelvic infection or unexplained pelvic tenderness.
SIS with the use of TVS for evaluation of abnormal
uterine bleeding was frst described by Bonilla-
Musoles in 1992 [5], [6], [7]. SIS provides the beneft
that saline is a negative contrast during TVS and
is also useful in the distention of the uterus from