CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What complication may be assessed through a hysterosalpingogram procedure?

1. Uterine fibroids

2. Infertility

3. Ovarian cysts

4. Pelvic inflammatory disease

The correct answer is: Infertility

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a specialized radiological procedure used primarily to assess the condition of a woman's reproductive organs, particularly the uterus and fallopian tubes. It involves the injection of a contrast material into the uterine cavity and subsequently taking X-ray images to visualize the internal structure. Infertility is directly evaluated through this procedure because HSG can reveal whether the fallopian tubes are open or blocked, a key factor affecting a woman's ability to conceive. A blockage in the tubes can prevent sperm from reaching the egg or hinder the passage of a fertilized egg into the uterus, leading to infertility. While uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and pelvic inflammatory disease may affect reproductive health, they are not specifically assessed through HSG in the same way. Uterine fibroids can be visualized through ultrasound or MRI, ovarian cysts are typically monitored via ultrasound, and pelvic inflammatory disease is often diagnosed with clinical evaluations and other imaging studies. HSG's primary role is in assessing the patency of the fallopian tubes and the uterine cavity, making it a vital tool in infertility investigations.