[Role of Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment of varicocele].
Varicocele is a frequent condition in male population. Our objectives were to asses the role of Doppler ultrasonography in varicocele diagnosis, evaluation of surgical outcome and identify predictive factors for infertility. We studied 45 patients (21-46 years old), Doppler ultrasonography being used to determine the stage and reflux grade. In all patients presence of anti-spermatic antibodies was assessed. 27 patients were surgical treated. Postoperatively, presence or absence of reflux was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. Spermogram was repeated in infertile patients. Our patients presented stage I (12 cases), stage II (18 cases) or stage III varicocele (15 cases). 16 patients (35%) were infertile (12 with grade III and 4 with grade II reflux), in 10 of these patients high levels of anti-spermatic antibodies being detected. Postoperatively, venous reflux was absent in all 27 patients. Among infertile patients, 80% of those younger than 25 years, 42% of those with ages between 25-30 years and none of those over 30 presented postoperative improvements of spermogram. Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive investigation for diagnosis, evaluation of venous reflux and detection of intratesticular varicocele. Opportunity of surgical treatment and evaluation of operative outcome can be determined using Doppler ultrasonography.
Clinica de Urologie, Spitalul Clinic de Urgenţă Sfântul loan, Bucureşti.
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Cauni
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Mulţescu
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Nită
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Georgescu
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Geavlete
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*