Laparoscopy/endoscopy Ultrasound Blood tests Hystero-salpingogram

Laparoscopy is a procedure that doctors use to look inside the abdomen

A small cut is made in the abdominal wall and a laparoscope is passed through it into the abdomen

A laparoscope is a thin, bendy microscope with a light on the end

The images picked up by the laparoscope are displayed on a television monitor so that the surgeon can see

Uses:› It can be used to look at the abdominal

organs, take tissue samples (biopsy) and even carry out small operations (known as keyhole surgery).

› It can help them to identify and diagnose a range of conditions, including appendicitis and ovarian cysts.

An invasive procedure http://www.layyous.com/root%20folder/lapar

oscopy_videoclips.htm

Endoscopy is the direct visual examination of any part of the inside of the body, using an endoscope.

An endoscope is a long, tube-like optical viewing instrument with a lens and light source.

It is used to view the internal body organs. It may be inserted through the mouth, anus or small cut in the skin, which the endoscope can then be passed through.

Ultrasound involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body.

A transducer sends the sound waves into the body. The sound waves bounce off parts of the body and

form ‘echoes’. The transducer records these echoing waves and

displays them on a computer so an image can be seen.

Uses:› Look for and monitor pregnancy› Look for ectopic pregnancies

Uses:› To detect imbalances in hormones and

antibody levels› In pregnancy, can be used to detect an

ectopic pregnancy

Hystero-salpigogram (HSG) is an x-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes

The uterine cavity is filled with a radio opaque fluid so that the parts of the reproductive system become visible

Uses for Infertility checks:› Fallopian tube blockages or damaged tubes› Uterine abnormalities

Less invasive than a laproscopy

Infertility (already done) Ectopic pregnancy Endometriosis

Condition:› Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue

(cells that normally grow inside the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus.

› Endometriosis is most commonly found on other organs of the pelvis.

Causes:› Unknown

Symptoms:› Sometimes none› Painful and heavy periods› Painful ovulation› Infertility › Other symptoms related to endometriosis include :

abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation, low back pain

Diagnosis:› Laparoscopy

Treatment:› medication and surgery for both pain relief

and treatment of infertility.

Condition › Implantation of a fertilised egg in the

oviduct/fallopian tube(not in the uterus)› Pregnancy does not go to full term as the

growth of the fertilised egg causes the tube to rupture resulting in internal bleeding

Causes› An infection e.g. pelvic inflammatory disease

(PID), Chlamydia or inflammation of the tube may have partially or entirely blocked it

› Endometriosis or scar tissue from previous abdominal or fallopian surgeries can also cause blockages.

› More rarely, birth defects or abnormal growths can alter the shape of the tube and disrupt the egg's progress.

Symptoms› There are three classic signs of an ectopic pregnancy:

one-sided lower abdominal pain vaginal bleeding positive pregnancy test.

› the levels of pregnancy hormone (HCG) in the blood do not rise appropriately.

Diagnosis › Ultrasound can sometimes be helpful in diagnosing › Blood tests – check level of pregnancy hormone

Treatment› Surgery – laparoscopy but could damage the tube and cause

infertility› Drugs – methotrexate used to kill the pregnancy tissue and allow the

body to reabsorb it