Hysterosalpingography Investigation Versus Patients’ Radiation Dose Risk

Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a useful radiographic investigation involving the use of contrast medium for the management of infertility in females. It is however, not only a costly procedure but it is also a semi-invasive procedure and carries some radiation risks. One principle of radiation protection is justification of practice which means that the overall benefit of the procedure should outweigh the radiation risks. The aim of this study was to determine justification of HSG procedure by assessing the rate and pattern of pregnancy success among infertile women who underwent HSG procedures at a tertiary hospital in South Eastern Nigeria between 2016 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of a sample of 222 women, aged 20-46years (mean 32.55 ±8.16years) who underwent HSG examination at the hospital between 2016 and 2020 was made. The data of eligible subjects were collected from the archives of radiology department of the hospital. Results: The result showed that 121 (54.5%) out of 222 of the patients achieved pregnancy with proper follow up infertility management. Of the 121, 48(39.67%) were in the 25-29 years age group and 35(28.93%) in the 30-34years age group. The commonest pathology found was uterine fibroid 71(32.0%), followed by tubal blockage, 42(18.92%) while the least occurring pathology was salpingitis isthmica nodosa 1(0.45%). Conclusion: There was a strong positive correlation between the age of patient, the HSG findings and the rate of pregnancy success. The procedure is justified in all the age groups except for the >45years group.