Testicular sonography in men with Klinefelter syndrome shows irregular echogenicity and blood flow of high resistance.
OBJECTIVE
Klinefelter syndrome is the most common chromosomal aberration among azoospermic men. We wanted to compare testicular echogenicity and intratesticular arterial blood in men with this syndrome versus men with normal sperm parameters.


METHODS
Testicular sonography including Doppler imaging, was performed as part of the infertility workup in 26 men with Klinefelter syndrome as well as in 26 men with normal sperm parameters.


RESULTS
In men with Klinefelter syndrome, sonography of the testicular parenchyma revealed a heterogeneous irregular pattern with spread hyper- and hypoechoic foci. Doppler sonography resulted in waveforms of high impedance patterns, reflecting intratesticular blood flow of a high resistance. In men with normal sperm parameters testicular echogenicity was of an almost homogeneous regular pattern. In these men, intratesticular blood flow typically exhibited a pattern of low vascular resistance.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates that testicular echogenicity as well as intratesticular blood flow are different in men with Klinefelter syndrome versus men with normal sperm parameters.
Ekerhovd
Erling
E
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. erling.ekerhovd@obgyn.gu.se
Westlander
Göran
G
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007713:Klinefelter Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography