The Doppler stethoscope in the diagnosis of subclinical varicocele.
Fifty-six patients (112 testicular cords) were examined using the Doppler stethoscope. Venous reflux was detected in all patients with a clinically obvious varicocele and in 77% of patients where a varicocele was suspected but not clinically demonstrated. The incidence of bilateral varicoceles was 21%. The Doppler stethoscope showed that 20% of patients continued to have venous reflux post-operatively. It is concluded that the Doppler stethoscope is a useful instrument in the diagnosis of clinical varicoceles and in the assessment of post-operative results.
D001314:Auscultation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000098:blood supply; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014646:Varicocele / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology