The Role of Laparoscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Fallopian Tube Teratomas: A Case Report

The introduction of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) has diminished the role of surgery in female factor tubal infertility. The assessment of tubal patency is part of the routine tests taken for the evaluation of infertile couples. Laparoscopy with chromopertubation is still the gold standard test for the evaluation of tubal patency.

In this article, a rare case of a mature cystic tubal teratoma was diagnosed laparoscopically as part of an infertility workup. An attempt was made to emphasize the importance of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of rare fallopian tube entities that may have an impact on female reproductive health. A literature search to find any prior similar cases was conducted using PubMed database. The search terms employed were tubal factor infertility, tubal teratoma, diagnosis, laparoscopy, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and hysterosalpingography (HSG). A total of 4 cases of mature cystic teratomas of the fallopian tube diagnosed laparoscopically as part of infertility workup were reviewed showing that laparoscopic surgery still has a major role in diagnosis and treatment of female infertility.

Tubal teratoma is a rare finding in patients undergoing infertility workup. It is important to highlight the benefits of laparoscopy in confirming the tubal patency test results in patients showing no intraperitoneal spillage of contrast media on hysterosalpingography test. Laparoscopy helps visualize the tubes better aiming to diagnose entities that are difficult to diagnose with hysterosalpingography or ultrasound, while simultaneously providing an opportunity for treatment.