Editor: Gautam Allahbadia

Since the introduction of sonography into the field of gynaecology, transvaginal sonography (TVS) has emerged as an important tool in the evaluation and management of infertile patients. This relatively new technique has been rapidly incorporated into the routine gynaecological examination, and is now available in numerous practices throughout the world.

TVS is an important tool in the evaluation of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, uterine cavity, and the endometrium. Indeed, one can no longer imagine inducing ovulation in the absence of TVS. Despite this extensive use, especially in infertility, there is a paucity of textbooks about the applications of ultrasound written specifically for infertility specialists.

Transvaginal Sonography in Infertility, edited by Dr Gautam Allhabadia, is probably the most comprehensive textbook that exists today on the role of sonography in infertility. A quick glance at the distinguished list of contributers from India and around the world reveals an international collaboration by top specialists in the areas of clinical ultrasound and research.

The author has managed not only to concentrate all the relevant infertility chapters into one volume, but also to incorporate several new chapters, such as the evaluation of cervical mucous, sonography and male infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss.

The first part of the book is concerned with the basic ultrasonographic technique, scanning methods, and equipment. The next sections are devoted to ovulation

monitoring, cervical mucous study, endometrial morphology, and the evaluation of the tubal factor. Notably, neither different methods for evaluating the uterus nor the male factor are neglected.

Other chapters relating to infertility are on pregnancy loss, endometriosis, sonography and assisted reproductive technique, and interventional procedure in infertility. The subjects of polycystic ovary syndrome, the effect of vaginal probes on sperm motility, and the role of TVS in the management of complications of infertility treatments are discussed in the miscellaneous chapter.

Other relevant and important topics which are covered include ultrasound and early pregnancy, complications in pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic tumors, and sonography and color Doppler vaginosonography study of ovarian tumors. At the conclusion of the book, Dr Allahbadia correctly mentions the newer imaging modalities used in the evaluation of infertility, e.g. 3-D ultrasound.

I warmly recommend this all-encompassing textbook to anyone who is interested in the field of infertility. I believe that each and every reader will find new and enlightening facts in this book that will serve them well in their day-to-day practice.

Dr Igal Wolman

Details
Title: Transvaginal Sonography
in Infertility (Hardbound Twin
Volumes), 650 pages, 1998.

ISBN 81-900837-1-6

Publishers
Rotunda Medical Technologies
(P) Ltd, Mulund, Mumbai,
Fax: 022 5645958,
E-mail:

Price
Rs 4100