Hydrosalpinx
Hydrosalpinx is a condition in which a fallopian tube becomes blocked and fills with fluid, causing it to enlarge. This often happens after prior infection, inflammation, endometriosis, or pelvic surgery. Many individuals have no symptoms, but hydrosalpinx can cause pelvic pain, pressure, or fertility problems because the affected tube cannot function normally.
What is it?
Hydrosalpinx occurs when a fallopian tube becomes obstructed and fills with watery fluid. The blockage is often due to scarring from prior pelvic infections (such as pelvic inflammatory disease), endometriosis, or previous surgeries. Over time, the tube may become elongated and swollen, affecting its ability to transport an egg from the ovary to the uterus.
Ultrasound typically shows a fluid-filled, tubular structure in the pelvis, sometimes with folded or “cogwheel” walls that help confirm the diagnosis. MRI or CT may also detect hydrosalpinx, especially when evaluating pelvic pain or other conditions.
Important to Know
Hydrosalpinx can significantly impact fertility by preventing the egg and sperm from meeting or by affecting the uterine environment. For individuals pursuing pregnancy through IVF, removal or blocking of the affected tube is often recommended to improve success rates. Asymptomatic hydrosalpinx may be monitored, especially if fertility is not a concern.
Red flag symptoms include fever, sudden severe pelvic pain, nausea, or signs of infection—these may indicate an acute infection or torsion of the fallopian tube, which requires urgent evaluation. Follow-up imaging can help monitor changes in size or detect complications.