Semen anomalies due to voiding defects of the ampullo-vesicular tract. Infertility due to ampullo-vesicular voiding defects.
Anatomical (congenital or postinflammatory) or functional anomalies of the uroseminal intersection can induce a voiding dysfunction of the deferential ampullae and seminal vesicles, leading to infertility. In case of azoospermia or OAT-syndrome with poor semen volume and decreased vesicular markers, some clinical history and examination data can cause suspect of one of such anomalies. The transrectal ultrasonographic findings of anechoic area(s) inside the prostate and/or seminal vesicle (even after recent ejaculation), the peculiar vasovesiculographic pictures (especially after ejaculation following the contrast medium injection into the vasa deferentia), plus the evaluation of the "deferential-ampullary sperm reserve", will permit a detailed diagnosis of the voiding dysfunction of the uroseminal crossing. A successful appropriate treatment of these pathologies can be done. Ultrasonically-guided transrectal puncture, or transurethral incision upstream of (or resection of) the ejaculatory duct orifices, or prolonged sexual abstinence, or artificial spermatocele of the vas deferens, or sperm recovering from urine for GIFT or IVF/ET after washing-out of the seminal tract by vas puncture are all methods, which can be selectively used depending on the individual case, to treat these forms of infertility. The authors present some paradigmatic clinical cases, and report that this pathology presumably occurs in up to 9% of non-selected infertile patient population.
Colpi
G M
GM
II. Surgery Department, Andrology and Infertility Center Valduce Hospital, Como/Italy.
Negri
L
L
Mariani
M
M
Balerna
M
M
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography