Comparison of Hysterosalpingography and Avicenna’s Method for Evaluation of Tubal Patency

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the findings of hysterosalpingography and “garlic test” toassess the fallopian tubes and uterus for diagnosis of obstruction in internal female genital tract.This survey was done using the database from 50 infertile women assessed for infertility both via hysterosalpingography and garlic test. The concordance between the two tests was evaluated using overall agreement percent and kappa coefficient. The sensitivity and specificity for garlic test were 56% and 75%, respectively, with 60% positive and 72% negative predictive values. The concordance between the two assays was 67.5% with a corresponding coefficient of31%. Thus, it seems that garlic test is an easy, noninvasive and safe method. Specificity and negative predictive value of garlic test is relatively suitable but its diagnostic sensitivity and positive predictive value is not high. It can be repeated during infertility treatment for several times and seems to have favorable compliance by the patient compared to hysterosalpingography

Keywords

• Garlic test
• Hysterosalpingography
• Avicenna
• Iranian traditional medicine
• Female infertility