Intrauterine fluid instillation to confirm tubal occlusion after transcervical permanent contraception: A pilot study.

Objectives: To determine if women with tubal patency experience more fluid loss compared to those with bilateral tubal occlusion following intrauterine instillation of fluid via a balloon catheter.

Study Design: In this prospective cohort pilot study, we enrolled women with prior Essure® procedures and healthy controls from September 2016 to July 2017. We excluded women using an implant or intrauterine device, or with a prior cesarean delivery or permanent contraception procedures other than Essure®.

Comparing 3-Dimensional Ultrasound to 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection of Levator Ani Defects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the detection of levator ani defects (LAD) between 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) and 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the Pelvic Floor Nerve Injury Following Childbirth Study. Nulliparous women underwent a standardized protocol of pelvic floor evaluations between January 2008 and December 2013, prior to pregnancy (V1) and at 2 points postpartum: 6 weeks (V2) and 6 months (V3).

Pressure dynamics in the non-gravid uterus: intrauterine pressure cannot confirm tubal occlusion after non-surgical permanent contraception.

Objective: The objective was to determine if intrauterine pressure can distinguish bilateral tubal occlusion (BTO) from unilateral or bilateral tubal patency (TP) in women following a permanent contraception procedure.

Study Design: We used a small inline pressure sensor to continuously monitor intrauterine pressure during hysterosalpingogram (HSG) in a cross-sectional study that enrolled women having HSGs for any indication. The primary outcome was the peak intrauterine pressure compared between women with BTO and TP as verified by HSG.

Tubal patency during the menstrual cycle and during treatment with hormonal contraceptives: a pilot study in women.

Background Hysterosalpingram (HSG) evaluation of tubal patency is typically performed in the follicular phase, but data to support this timing are lacking. Purpose To determine whether menstrual cycle phase or hormonal treatments affect observation of tubal patency during HSG. Material and Methods Ten participants underwent repeated HSG examinations: during the follicular and luteal phase of a natural menstrual cycle; 30 days following continuous administration of a combined oral contraceptive (COC); and 30 days after an intramuscular injection of depo medroxyprogesterone (DMPA) acetate.

The history and current status of fallopian tube pressures - developing alternate methods for confirmation of tubal occlusion.

Permanent contraception with hysteroscopic tubal ligation is an increasingly popular choice for women around the world. However, inconveniences associated with the required confirmation test for tubal occlusion can be prohibitive. As new methods of permanent contraception are being investigated, ways of making all aspects of the procedure more accessible and comfortable for women should be considered.

Pelvic floor levator hiatus measurements: MRI versus ultrasound.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare levator hiatus measurements between pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pelvic ultrasound (US) imaging modalities.

Methods: We performed pelvic MRI and 3-dimensional US in 37 asymptomatic nulliparous women. For the MRI protocols, we performed axial and sagittal sequences at rest.

Fallopian tube catheterization.

Fallopian tube catheterization is used for treatment of infertility caused by proximal tubal occlusion, and has replaced surgical treatment for this condition. More recently, fallopian tube catheterization has been used for tubal sterilization. Interventional radiologists tested numerous methods for tubal occlusion using the rabbit as an animal model.

Measuring the levator hiatus with axial MRI sequences: adjusting the angle of acquisition.

Aims: We aimed to compare MRI measurements of the female levator hiatus and the most caudal "levator ani" muscles between image slices in a plane axial to the body (AxB) and an axial plane parallel to the direction of the puborectalis muscle (AxPRM).

Methods: We performed high-resolution, T2-weighted axial magnetic resonance imaging (in two different planes) on 20 sequentially recruited asymptomatic nulliparous women. Levator hiatus measurements were compared between the two planes.

Reference lines in dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic floor.

Objective: : To compare the variability in two commonly used reference lines in pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the pubococcygeal line (PCL) and the sacrococcygeal to inferior pubis (SCIPP) line, with respect to their distance from pelvic floor points of interest.

Methods: : We obtained pelvic MR images of 20 asymptomatic nulliparous women who are part of an ongoing pelvic floor nerve injury postpartum study. The subjects underwent a high-resolution two-dimensional, T2-weighted sagittal pelvic MRI in the supine position using a GE Signa scanner with a body phased-array coil.

Fallopian tube catheterization.

The delicate fallopian tube is the anatomic pathway to human reproduction. Simple, inexpensive tools and techniques allow radiologists to access this structure for promoting, and preventing pregnancy. Results from centers worldwide have shown that catheter recanalization is possible in ~90% of women with proximal tubal occlusion using basic angiographic techniques familiar to all interventional radiologists.

Imaging of female infertility.

Normal reproduction requires healthy female anatomy. Cervical, uterine, tubal, ovarian, and peritoneal factors can coexist and cause female infertility. Ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, MR imaging, and fallopian tube catheterization are the radiologists' armamentarium for diagnosis.