Hysterosalpingographic findings in infertile women with genital tuberculosis

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the hysterosalpingographic findings from infertile women who were subsequently diagnosed with genital tuberculosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of 70 infertile women who underwent hysterosalpingography to investigate infertility and were subsequently diagnosed with genital tuberculosis. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 27.3 years and the mean duration of infertility was 6.1 years. A total of 57 (81.4%) women had primary infertility while 13 had secondary infertility. Diagnosis of genital tuberculosis was made by polymerase chain reaction (54.3%), tuberculous granuloma on biopsy (22.8%), acid-fast bacilli culture (2.8%), and at laparoscopy or hysteroscopy (20%). Hysterosalpingographic findings were a normal uterine cavity observed in 57.1% of women, an irregular cavity in 18.5%, a shrunken cavity in 2.8%, and an irregular filling defect in 18.5%. Synechiae were observed in 17.1% of women. CONCLUSION: Genital tuberculosis is a common cause of infertility in India, causing significant uterine and tubal pathologies.