Hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography vs. magnetic resonance-hysterosalpingography for diagnosing fallopian tubal patency: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Eur J Radiol. 2020 Apr:125:108891. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2020.108891. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy) and magnetic resonance-hysterosalpingography (MR-HSG) in the diagnosis of fallopian tubal patency.

Materials and methods: The databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for records up to November 30, 2019. Studies involved in the diagnostic detection of HyCoSy or MR-HSG for fallopian tubal patency using conventional HSG or laparoscopy as the reference test were included. Data was analyzed by meta-analysis. We compared sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (PLR and NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) plots of both HyCoSy and MR-HSG. Quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool.

Results: The analysis included 24 articles involving 1340 patients. HyCoSy was studied in 17 studies, and MR-HSG was studied in seven studies. For HyCoSy in diagnosis of fallopian tubal patency, pooled sensitivity was 89 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 87 %-91 %), and specificity was 93 % (95 % CI, 91 %-94 %). For MR-HSG in diagnosis of fallopian tubal patency, pooled sensitivity was 100 % (95 % CI, 98 %-100 %), and specificity was 82 % (95 % CI, 74 %-89 %). The sROC showed similar diagnostic accuracy for MR-HSG and HyCoSy. 3D/4D HyCoSy with ultrasound microbubbles had equal sensitivity (95 % vs. 100 %, P = 0.186) and significantly higher specificity (94 % vs. 82 %, P = 0.005) compared with MR-HSG.

Conclusions: HyCoSy and MR-HSG showed similar overall diagnostic performance for diagnosing fallopian tubal patency. 3D/4D HyCoSy with ultrasound microbubbles could significantly improve the diagnostic specificity of HyCoSy.

Keywords: Fallopian tubes; Hysterosalpingography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Meta-analysis; Ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fallopian Tube Patency Tests / methods
  • Fallopian Tubes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fallopian Tubes / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterosalpingography / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • ROC Curve
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography / methods*