Transrectal ultrasonography of infertile men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine normal transrectal ultrasonographic anatomy in young men and the frequency of abnormalities in the infertile population.


METHODS
Transrectal ultrasonography was performed upon 30 fertile volunteers and 150 consecutive men referred for male factor infertility.


METHODS
A male fertility center.


RESULTS
Transrectal ultrasonography was normal in 60% of controls and 53% of infertile group. The frequency of hyperechoic lesions within the prostate was similar in controls (40%) and infertile men (39%). Müllerian duct cysts were present in 11% of the infertile men and none of the volunteers. Rectal exam was normal in all of the men.


CONCLUSIONS
Transrectal ultrasonography is more sensitive at detecting abnormalities of the seminal vesicles and prostate than rectal exam. Hyperechoic lesions within the prostate is frequently a normal finding. Müllerian duct cysts are more frequently observed in infertile men and may be a cause of ejaculatory duct obstruction.
Jarow
J P
JP
Department of Urology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1094.
D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004543:Ejaculatory Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012007:Rectum; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology