Diagnosis of ruptured fetal membranes in pregnancy with the use of urograffin

Abstract

The objective of our study was to assess the value of intraamniotic injection of urograffin in the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Intra-amniotic injection of urograffin with the concomitant insertion of a vaginal tampon was performed in 30 consecutive patients who were admitted because of suspected PROM and the presence of a heavy bloody vaginal secretion. The vaginal tampons were X-rayed for the presence of radio-opacity. In 23 patients, traces of urograffin were found in the vaginal tampons by X-ray. No fetal or maternal complications were observed during delivery and puerperium. We suggest the use of intraamniotic injection of urograffin for the diagnosis of PROM in cases where heavy bloody vaginal discharge is present.