[Contrast hysterosalpingography (or HyCoSy)]

A new echogenic contrast medium, SHU-454 is a new method for direct imaging of fallopian tube passage in tubal diagnostics using transvaginal B-mode echography. Clinical studies in over 1,600 patients have shown that this product offers a reproducible echogenic contrast, significantly amplifies Doppler signal and is well tolerated. SHU-454 is injected through the cervix into the uterus and fallopian tubes using the same technique as for radiologic hysterosalpingography. This examination is easily performed in 5 to 10 minutes. Results, compared with two conventional methods, hysterosalpingography and chromolaparoscopy, in 115 women show that HyCoSy is a reliable procedure for detecting tubal patency. HyCoSy results totally agree with the results from the conventional methods in case of tubal patency. This technique may be suitable as an easy, quick and low-risk outpatient examination. It does not involve radiation exposure and is unlikely to cause allergic reactions such as those known to occur with iodinated contrast media. Transvaginal HyCoSy can be used to assess tubal patency early in sterility diagnostics, before adnexal or uterine (myoma) surgery or when tubes and uterine appendages cannot be seen during chromolaparoscopy.