title: [Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration: an effective diagnostic method for azoospermia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce the application of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) in the differential diagnosis between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, and to investigate the association of the results of PESA with testis volume and the level of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 118 patients with diagnosed azoospermia were included. Their testis volume was measured by model method, the serum gonadal hormone level examined by chemoluminescence assay, and the epididymal fluid obtained by puncturing the head of the epididymis with a size-7 butterfly needle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sperm was found in the epididymal fluid in 60 of the patients, 56 with normal and 4 with smaller testis volume, and 55 with normal and 5 with higher FSH level. No sperm was detected in the other 58 cases, 34 with normal and 24 with smaller testis volume, and 38 with normal and 20 with higher serum FSH level. The rate of successful PESA was significantly higher in patients with normal testis volume or normal serum FSH level than in those with smaller testis volume (P < 0.05) or higher serum FSH level (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PESA is a quick, convenient and effective method for the differential diagnosis between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Nanjing Jinling Andrology Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China. qinglaitang@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Qing-lai
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Cun-ge
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Li-sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004822:Epididymis; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone