The role of imaging in infertility management

In a retrospective review of 211 female infertility patients receiving ovulation induction agents, the role of sonography in infertility management is defined. Sonography is used to determine imminence of ovulation for timing of insemination and in vitro fertilization. It is also used to diagnose ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. To identify characteristics of the ovarian follicles of women able to conceive that might differentiate them from those unable to become pregnant, patients were assigned to "pregnant" (30.8%) or "nonpregnant" subgroups. In 259 sonographically monitored cycles reviewed, follicular size and configuration were not different for the two groups. The cumulus oophorus was seen in 28% of pregnant patients (8/28) and in only two nonpregnant patients. Low-level echoes were seen in the mature follicles of 11 patients but not in the large follicles of nonpregnant patients. Low-level intrafollicular echogenicity may be a prognostic indicator of fertility and may represent a periovulatory state, optimal, in the appropriate clinical setting, for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.