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Ultrasound and Infertility

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First-Trimester Ultrasound

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Abstract

Infertility is a growing problem worldwide. Ultrasound forms an integral part of the evaluation and management of the infertile and subfertile female patient. This initial workup includes a baseline evaluation of the pelvic anatomy and ovarian reserve, as well as the description and monitoring of any structural pathologies which can contribute to or affect fertility and reproductive outcomes. Both congenital uterine anomalies and acquired uterine pathologies can be easily located with the addition of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Fibroids and polyps can be differentiated by ultrasound with Doppler. Ultrasound competes with the hysterosalpingogram (HSG) for the assessment of the uterine cavity when done as a saline infusion sonohysterogram (SIS). In addition, some programs are now using a variant of this SIS procedure to determine tubal patency which can be termed saline sonosalpingogram (SSS). In the USA no contrast agent or gel has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate tubal patency by ultrasound. Therefore, an agitated saline technique was described, where hyperechoic bubbles provide the contrast. It is similar to an FDA-approved device based on the same methodology, Femvue. Lastly, ultrasound is critical to ovarian follicular monitoring of fertility treatments and for ultrasound assistance in oocyte aspirations and embryo transfers, as in assisted reproductive technologies. Ultrasound as a technology has significantly impacted the field of infertility.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock Street, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Sana N. Khan MD, CPH

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, 3990 John R. Street, Box 158, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Elizabeth E. Puscheck MD, MS

Authors
  1. Sana N. Khan MD, CPH
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  2. Elizabeth E. Puscheck MD, MS
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Correspondence to Elizabeth E. Puscheck MD, MS .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Jacques S. Abramowicz

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Khan, S.N., Puscheck, E.E. (2016). Ultrasound and Infertility. In: Abramowicz, J. (eds) First-Trimester Ultrasound. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20203-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20203-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20202-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20203-7

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