Classical salpingography (or hysterosalpingography) is a widespread diagnostic non-invasive method of imaging the uterus and fallopian tubes that has been used for almost a hundred years and is mainly performed in a radiological diagnostic centre. It is a specialised examination to check the patency of the fallopian tubes, which is mainly necessary to investigate the female infertility.
How is trumpeting done
The examination procedure starts with the placement (with a special catheter) of a contrast liquid into the uterus. The contrast agent is then pushed under pressure towards the fallopian tubes and comes out of them into the woman's pelvic area. During this propulsion of the contrast agent, repeated X-rays of the pelvis are taken to check their patency.
Duration of examination and recovery
The duration of the salpingography is approximately 15 - 30 minutes. No special preparation is required before the examination, except in cases where there is a history of gynecological inflammation, in which case your gynecologist, in consultation with the radiologist, will ask you to take a mild prophylactic antibiotics for a few days.
Salpingography is ideally recommended to be performed between the 7th and 13th day of a woman's cycle to avoid the possibility of discomfort, pelvic pain or fertilisation which the test may harm.
After the examination and depending on the findings, your doctor may recommend a course of treatment, if necessary. There is no need for the patient to refrain from daily activities, work, exercise and routine after the examination.
Possible side effects
A rare complication of both conventional salpingography and ultrasound salpingography is an allergic reaction as it is directly related to the use of the contrast fluid used during the examination. Also, occasionally some women have reported possible discomfort and slight pain during the examination so it is recommended that mild painkillers and analgesics mainly paracetamol be administered both before and after the examination in cases of sensitivity and non-resistance.
Finally, there have been some minor concerns about radiation to the ovaries, but we cannot speak with certainty and scientific opinion as we do not know with absolute certainty what the threshold of radiation that is considered safe for the ovaries is.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasound salpingography is usually performed in a gynaecology clinic or a gynaecological clinic with the help of ultrasound and a thin silicone catheter. The doctor also administers special contrast fluid through the cervix with the special silicone catheter in order to visualise the trumpets and the free exit of the contrast agent using in parallel and guided by an ultrasound.
What are the costs?;
Το Cost both of trumpeting and ultrasound salpingography varies and depends solely on the doctor and the diagnostic centre that you carefully choose.
