Differences between proximal and distal endometrial monolayer thickness in women aged over 50 years undergoing saline infusion sonohysterography

Background Saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) is a procedure performed to evaluate the endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding. Purpose To investigate differences in endometrial monolayer measurements in women aged >50 years undergoing SIS. Material and Methods Retrospective study of women aged >50 undergoing SIS. Endometrial echo (EE) was measured according to the International Endometrial Tumor Analysis (IETA) guidelines. Monolayer thickness was compared between anterior and posterior uterine walls and between the monolayer that was proximal or distal to the ultrasound probe. Presence and location of focal thickening and polyps on each of the monolayers were assessed. Results SIS was performed in 608 patients. Of them, 485 (79.8%) had anteverted, 85 (14%) retroverted, and 38 (6.2%) a midposition uterus. The mean posterior monolayer was thicker than the anterior monolayer (2.14 mm vs. 1.88 mm; P = 0.002). The distal monolayer was thicker than the proximal layer in both anteverted and retroverted uteri (2.18 mm vs. 1.84 mm; P < 0.0001). In 16% of women, the difference between distal and proximal monolayers was ≥1 mm. Focal thickening was seen 3.3 times more frequently in the distal endometrium. Among women with a double layer EE >4 mm, 18.8% had a proximal layer of <2 mm while only 4.6% had a distal EE <2 mm. Conclusion Distal endometrium measures thicker than the proximal endometrium in most SIS cases and in one out of six women, the difference is >1 mm. The distal layer is three times more likely to contain focal thickening. Sonologists should be conscious of possible enhancement artifact when measuring the EE during SIS.

Evaluation of Uterine Cavity Abnormality using Saline Infusion Sonohysterography Before In Vitro Fertilization

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 fifty-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.