[Sonographic features and clinical significance of transrectal ultrasonography in obstructive azoospermia].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ultrasonographic features of obstructive azoospermia and to evaluate transrectal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the disease.


METHODS
We performed transrectal ultrasonography for 248 patients with obstructive azoospermia, observed the sonographic features of the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct.


RESULTS
The average volume of the prostate gland of the studied group was 13.2 ml. A total of 111 cases showed normal sonographic features, 39 cases bilateral seminal vesicle defect, 33 cases bilateral seminal vesicle aplasia, 23 cases unilateral seminal vesicle defect and contralateral seminal vesicle aplasia, 28 cases bilateral and 14 cases unilateral seminal vesicle dilatation. Of the 42 cases of seminal vesicle dilatation, 18 had ejaculatory duct dilatation and 17 had cysts in the midline of the prostate.


CONCLUSIONS
Obstructive azoospermia varies in kind. Transrectal ultrasonography can reveal the details of the prostate, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct and help to classify obstructive azoospermia and determine the location of the lesion.
Wu
Rong-pei
RP
Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
Deng
Chun-hua
CH
Liang
Hui
H
Zhong
Wan-mi
WM
Liang
Wei-jie
WJ
D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004543:Ejaculatory Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012007:Rectum; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography