What is saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS)?
SIS-Saline infusion sonohysterography or saline ultrasound uterine scan is an ultrasound scan of the uterine cavity, which yields a clear picture, by the difference in echoes, of the endometrium-the lining of the uterus-produced by a small volume of saline solution injected into the uterus.
What’s the purpose of my doctor recommending that I do this procedure?
SIS can determine whether there was any endometrial thickening or small growths, called polyps, in the uterus from a previous pelvic ultrasound scan. SIS may be indicated in the evaluation of the postmenopausal endometrium, especially when there is postmenopausal haemorrhage.
How do I prepare for a SIS?
No preparation is needed in advance. The scan is best performed on days 5–9 of your menstrual cycle, when your menstruation has just about finished. Therefore, it is better to schedule your consultation around your menstruation.
Before commencing the examination, you will be asked to empty your bladder to avoid urine retention, and any tampons you may be using will have to be removed. If the bleeding is slight and your menstruation is nearly finished, this is not a problem, and you can have the scan.
You cannot have a SIS scan if you have a pelvic inflammatory illness or if you are pregnant. If either of these applies to you, you must let the staff or your referring physician know where you are going to have your scan.
It is a good idea to wear comfortable clothing that is easy to access around the lower part of your body.
What happens during a SIS?
A transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound may precede a SIS. A probe of the transvaginal ultrasonography, a flexible catheter, and a speculum are inserted into the vagina. The insertion is facilitated with lubricating gel and a sterile probe cover. The interior of the uterus is imaged when a small volume of saline is instilled into the uterine cavity. This will make the lining well visible and detect all kinds of anomalies that may involve the endometrium.
Are there any after-effects of an SIS?
Following a scan, there is often a slight trickle of saline fluid from the vagina, which may be blood-stained for 24 hours. Patients are advised to avoid using tampons for the remainder of the day. The majority of patients are back to normal following a scan, although many experience some pelvic discomfort, which usually settles within a few minutes. A few women may feel dizzy because the catheter irritates the cervix; this usually passes within minutes and does not have adverse effects.
How long does a SIS take?
It only takes about thirty minutes because most of that time is taken up by scanning before and after the saline is introduced into the uterus. In real life, adding the saline only takes two to three minutes.
What are the risks of a SIS?
The scan itself carries minimal risk. The most significant risk is that the procedure could give you an infection of your uterus. This is treated with antibiotics, but it is very rare.
An infection may show itself as prolonged pelvic pain or as an unpleasant vaginal discharge.
In such a case, either the clinic where the treatment has been carried out should be called and a request made to speak with the radiologist who performed the treatment, or one needs to go to one’s general practitioner to explain what surgery has been conducted and what symptoms one has been having. It is thus possible to prescribe an antibacterial medication.
What are the benefits of a SIS?
This is accomplished by infusing saline solution into the uterus, allowing for prominent ultrasound images of the lining and thus enabling the visualization of any anomalies, such as endometrial thickness or polyps, to be relatively easy to see. This will help guide your doctor’s discussion with you about additional testing or care that may be indicated for you.
Who does the SIS?
The examination is performed by a specialist physician, a radiologist, or an obstetrician sonologist, an obstetrician licensed to perform ultrasound examinations. The specialist physician provides the referring physician with a report of the scan.
Where is a SIS done?
The examination is performed at a specialist obstetric and gynaecological imaging clinic, in the radiology department of a hospital, or in a private radiology practice. It is performed in a private ultrasound room that is often softly lighted so that the sonographer performing the scan can best visualize the images on the ultrasound machine.
When can I expect the results of my SIS?
The following factors will affect the time it takes for your doctor to receive a written report of the scan:
- How urgent the result is and how badly it is needed;
- How complex the review is;
- Whether your doctor has to provide more information for the radiologist to put the examination into context;
- Whether your recent scan needs to be compared with any previous X-rays or other medical imaging-this often happens if you have some disease or condition that is under study to assess the progress of your disease;
- How the report, once it has been received from the radiology facility, is sent to your referring physician.
It is really important that you speak to your referring physician in person or over the phone. They can explain the results and what they mean to you.
Why Tender Palm IVF & Fertility Center for Saline Infusion Sonography (SIS) in Lucknow, India?
Tender Palm IVF & Fertility Center offers accurate and advanced Saline Infusion Sonography (SIS) in Lucknow, India for detailed evaluation of the uterine cavity. Our expert fertility specialists use state-of-the-art ultrasound technology to detect abnormalities like fibroids, polyps, and adhesions. With a focus on comfort and precision, we ensure reliable diagnosis for women facing fertility challenges. Choose us for safe, expert-led SIS procedures in a supportive, patient-friendly environment.