CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

During a hysterosalpingogram, what is expected to happen to the contrast material?

1. It should remain in the uterus

2. It should spill into the peritoneum

3. It should be absorbed by the tissues

4. It should create a mass

The correct answer is: It should spill into the peritoneum

In a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), the primary purpose is to evaluate the shape of the uterine cavity and the patency of the fallopian tubes using a radiopaque contrast medium. During the procedure, when the contrast material is instilled into the uterine cavity, it is expected to flow through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. If the tubes are open and patent, the contrast will typically spill into the peritoneal cavity. This is a normal finding and indicates that the tubes are not blocked, which is crucial in assessing female fertility. The observation of the contrast spilling into the peritoneum serves as an important diagnostic criterion. If the contrast does not spill, it may suggest the presence of an obstruction, which could have implications for fertility, thus making the spilling of contrast a favorable and expected outcome during an HSG.