Hydrosalpinx





KEY FACTS


Imaging





  • Thin-walled, distended tube; tube wall < 3 mm



  • Convoluted or S-shaped, oval or pear-shaped, more dilated at fimbriated end



  • Separate from uterus and ovaries



  • Content anechoic; low-level echoes suggest acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)



  • Thin endosalpingeal folds (~ 2-3 mm) protrude into lumen



  • Incomplete septa: Short, linear echogenic projections into lumen from tubal kinking



  • Waist sign: Indentation of opposing walls of dilated tubal structure resulting in appearance of waist



  • Beads on string sign: Small hyperechoic mural nodules on transverse imaging



  • Cogwheel sign: Thicker endosalpingeal folds in acute PID



  • No color flow in endosalpingeal folds or wall



  • Color flow in thickened tube suggests acute infection (as well as internal debris)



Top Differential Diagnoses





  • Pyosalpinx (acute PID)/tuboovarian complex



  • Cystic ovarian neoplasm



  • Paraovarian cyst/peritoneal inclusion cyst



  • Dilated bowel, acute appendicitis



Pathology





  • Tubal obstruction from PID, endometriosis, appendicitis, or postpelvic surgery



Clinical Issues





  • Usually asymptomatic, can present with pelvic or lower abdominal pain, severe pain may indicate adnexal torsion



  • Must be distinguished from pyosalpinx or hematosalpinx based on tubal content and clinical picture



  • Can result in infertility or ectopic pregnancy



Scanning Tips





  • Cine clips are very useful for confirmation of tubular configuration




    • Look for incomplete septa and mural nodules in tubular, fluid-filled structure separate from uterus and ovaries




  • 3D-rendered US can help see tortuous structure, which is difficult to follow with 2D imaging







Graphic shows bilateral hydrosalpinx. The left tube folds upon itself , which appears as an incomplete septum on US. The fimbriated end is more dilated. Adhesions and hydrosalpinx are sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).








Coronal transvaginal US shows a normal ovary with a dilated fallopian tube . The septa are the walls of the folded tube.








Transabdominal longitudinal US shows a markedly dilated, thin-walled hydrosalpinx with a thin, incomplete septum .








Transverse transabdominal US of the same patient demonstrates the more dilated distal end of the tube . The uterus was normal. The incomplete septum is better seen as a kink in the tube.

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Nov 10, 2024 | Posted by in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Hydrosalpinx

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access