Age Specificity And Common Pathological Findings In Hysterosalpingography Patients With Case Of Infertility In The South-South Region Of Nigeria: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The rate of increase in infertility globally and in Nigeria is major concern. This may not be unconnected with impotency of the fallopian tube, the morphology of the uterine cavity as well as the endo-cervical canal. Observations have shown that infertility is the commonest reason for women seeking gynaecological consultation in Nigerian hospitals today. Hysterosalpingography is an effective imaging modality for diagnosis of pelvic pathologies.

OBJECTIVE: To identify common pathological findings in Hysterosalpingography patients with case of infertility.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: Retrospectively, 370 radiological reports from 9 diagnostic centres were assessed between November, 2022 - December, 2023. The data were categorized using Microsoft Excel and analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-Square test of association with box plot was used for the proportion of findings across the states and between the common pathologies and age range.

RESULTS: Common pathological findings in HSG patients for infertility were unilateral and bilateral tubal blockage, unilateral and bilateral hydrosalpinxes, uterine fibroid, adhesions (uterine, cervical and tubal), uterine stenosis and Nabothian cyst. Unilateral tubal blockage 106 (28.6%) which prevailed across all the States was common and Nabothian cyst ranking the least 1 (0.3%). The Chi square test of association result reveals that Unilateral tubal blockage was significantly associated with all the age grouping, with the highest proportion present in the age grouping 32-37 years (ꭓ² = 178.29; P < 0.05), which also was the age group with the highest population in the region of study.

CONCLUSION: Hysterosalpingography plays a vital role in the investigation of women with infertility in the area of study being readily available amongst other diagnostic modalities for infertility in females.