title: Is transrectal ultrasonography a reliable diagnostic approach in ejaculatory duct sub-obstruction?
abstract: We studied the diagnostic predictive power of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) coupled with semen volume in cases of distal seminal tract sub-obstruction. As a gold standard for diagnosis we used seminal tract washout (STW). Non-azoospermic subjects (n = 112) were submitted to transrectal ultrasonography because of suspected excretory infertility or other andrological pathologies, before performing STW. STW indicated ejaculatory duct sub-obstruction in 36.6% of the patients. Seminal vesicle enlargement (anterior-posterior diameter > or = 15 mm) and seminal vesicle roundish anechoic areas (stasis) were the ultrasonographic anomalies more often associated with ejaculatory duct sub-obstruction. Stepwise logistic regression (SLR) analysis revealed that the ultrasonographic evidence of stasis was highly diagnostic only in the presence of a low semen volume (< or = 1.5 ml) and that ejaculatory duct sub-obstructions may be present but with no evidence of ultrasonographic anomalies. Therefore, TRUS is a useful approach for the treatment of suspected ejaculatory duct sub-obstruction, but is not a reliable diagnostic tool and, before performing transurethral surgery, STW should be mandatory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Colpi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chinea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004543:Ejaculatory Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012007:Rectum; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography