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Doppler sonography of the fallopian tubes
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Where to do an ultrasound of the fallopian tubes, who is prescribed the examination and how is it carried out? So, ultrasound scanning or echohydrotubation is prescribed to patients with suspected infertility and to check the patency of the fallopian tubes. To carry out the examination, a special solution is introduced into the uterine cavity, which fills the fallopian tubes and gradually enters the abdominal cavity. Thanks to this, it is possible to examine the relief, the presence of constrictions, obstruction of the lumen of the fallopian tube and the degree of their severity.
Diagnostics are performed before ovulation, that is, in the initial phase of the menstrual cycle. For a more accurate result of the study, it is necessary to carry out preparation. First, exclude infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitals, since ultrasound can generalize the inflammatory process. A few days before the procedure, you should refuse products that cause increased gas formation. A cleansing enema will not be superfluous.
Ultrasound signs of uterine pathology
Ectopic pregnancy
The incidence of ectopic pregnancy has increased in recent years. An ectopic pregnancy should be suspected when the level of β-chorionic gonadotropin increases above 6500 mlU and the uterine cavity is empty. Approximately 96% of all ectopic pregnancies are localized in the fallopian tubes, usually in the ampullary region. Ultrasound of the fallopian tubes plays an additional role in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, since fetal activity can be detected in only 10% of cases. If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected based on the clinical picture and examination of the adnexa, it is characterized by a typical echogenic ring-shaped structure in addition to chorionic vascularization.
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Infertility
Tubal factor is responsible for 1/3 of cases of female infertility. Ultrasound Dopplerography of the fallopian tubes using ultrasound contrast agents significantly reduces the cost and risk of infertility testing. In transvaginal ultrasound hysterosalpingography for the diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease and galactosemia, a contrast agent (Echovist 200) is introduced into the uterine cavity through a cervical catheter.
After this, a B-mode ultrasound is performed to determine the internal structure of the uterine cavity and exclude abnormalities (septate or arcuate uterus, etc.). Submucous fibroids and polyps inside the uterine cavity can also be visualized. The injected contrast agent then spreads through the horn, isthmus, and ampulla of the fallopian tubes. If the tubes are intact and intact, it enters the abdominal cavity and collects in the blind sacs. In the presence of sactosalpinx, the contrast agent expands the fallopian tubes and does not reach the blind sacs.
If the fallopian tube is blocked at the isthmus, the contrast agent will not enter the tube at all. If the passage of the contrast agent from the distal end of the tube is in question, ultrasound helps to determine its progress. This method has a sensitivity of about 90%, and when used, invasive laparoscopy can be avoided.