title: [Value of color Doppler flow imaging in the diagnosis of subclinical varicocele].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the value of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in the diagnosis of sterility caused by subclinical varicocele (SVC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The spermatic veins of 56 sterile patients with seminal abnormality were examined with CDFI and the internal diameters and the time of blood reflux of pampiniform plexus of the veins were observed. In addition, selective X-ray examination of internal spermatic veins was performed for contrast analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diameter of the pampiniform plexus was (2.24 +/- 0.16) mm under the static condition and (2.67 +/- 0. 26) mm during the Valsalva test. The time of blood reflux was (1 487 +/- 203.66) ms. The accuracy of CDFI for diagnosing SVC was 92.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CDFI has been proved of more value in the diagnosis of SVC than that of clinical varicocele in the etiological screening of male sterility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, 97th Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Mu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi-Yong
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.forename: Kai-Li
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Yao-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000592:standards; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*