Saline Infusion Sonography (SIS): A Clearer View of The Womb
Saline Infusion Sonography (SIS) is a specialised ultrasound examination that provides a detailed view of the inside of the womb. It can be particularly useful when a routine pelvic ultrasound does not provide enough information about the uterine cavity.
At West Wales Women’s Wellbeing, SIS is performed as part of a personalised, consultant-led assessment, helping to identify abnormalities within the womb and determine whether further investigation or treatment may be needed.
What is Saline Infusion Sonography?
SIS involves gently introducing a small amount of sterile saline into the womb through a fine catheter. The saline gently expands the uterine cavity, allowing the lining of the womb to be seen more clearly during a transvaginal ultrasound examination.
This can provide a clearer view of the uterine cavity than a routine pelvic ultrasound alone.
What Can SIS Identify?
SIS can help identify abnormalities within the uterine cavity, including:
- Endometrial polyps.
- Submucosal fibroids.
- Intrauterine adhesions.
- Some congenital abnormalities of the uterine cavity.
- Irregularities or thickening of the endometrial lining.
By providing a clearer picture of the uterine cavity, SIS can help your consultant understand what may be causing your symptoms and decide whether any further investigation or treatment is appropriate.
Who Might SIS Be Suitable For?
SIS may be recommended where more detailed assessment of the inside of the womb is needed. This can include women experiencing:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
- Irregular or unexpected bleeding.
- Bleeding after the menopause.
- Unexpected bleeding while taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Suspected endometrial polyps or fibroids.
- An abnormal or unclear finding on a previous ultrasound examination.
- Difficulties conceiving where assessment of the uterine cavity is appropriate.
Your consultant will consider your symptoms, medical history and previous investigations when deciding whether SIS is appropriate for you.
A More Detailed Assessment Before Considering Further Procedures
SIS can provide valuable information about the uterine cavity and, in some circumstances, may help avoid the need for further invasive investigation.
Where appropriate, SIS may help your consultant determine whether a hysteroscopy is likely to provide additional benefit, or whether further investigation may not be necessary.
The aim is not to carry out more procedures, but to make sure that any investigation recommended is appropriate for you and your individual circumstances.
How Does SIS Fit Into Your Assessment?
A comprehensive pelvic ultrasound is often the starting point when investigating symptoms such as abnormal bleeding. While ultrasound provides an excellent assessment of the uterus, ovaries and surrounding pelvic structures, it does not always provide sufficient detail of the inside of the womb.
SIS can be used when a more detailed assessment of the uterine cavity is needed.
Depending on your symptoms and clinical history, your consultant may also recommend other investigations as part of your assessment.
WID®-easy Endometrial Assessment
Where appropriate, WID®-easy can provide additional information by analysing cells collected from the lining of the womb to assess the likelihood of endometrial cancer.
When used alongside your symptoms, medical history and ultrasound findings, it can help inform decisions about whether further investigation is required.
Your consultant will discuss which investigations are appropriate for you and explain what the results mean for your individual care.
Consultant-led Care, Tailored to You
At West Wales Women’s Wellbeing, we believe that investigations should be guided by your individual symptoms, history and clinical needs.
Where SIS is appropriate, it can provide valuable additional information and help your consultant make a more informed decision about the next step.
Our aim is to provide accurate diagnosis, clear explanations and personalised care in a calm, supportive environment, helping you avoid unnecessary investigations or procedures wherever it is safe to do so.
If you are experiencing abnormal bleeding or have been advised that further assessment of the womb may be required, speak to us to find out whether SIS could be appropriate for you.