title: Advantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the seminal vesicles and intra-abdominal vas deferens in patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To show the flexibility in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of seminal vesicle (SV) and intra-abdominal segment of vas deferens for the patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD), including congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) and congenital unilateral absence of vas deferens (CUAVD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen consecutive patients with CAVD had transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and further MRI evaluations. TRUS was performed using a 7.5-MHz transducer, and images of the SVs were obtained, calculated in the transaxial plane. MRI studies were performed with a 1.5-7 superconducting system, T1- and T2-weighted axial, coronal, and sagittal imaging of the pelvis was obtained. If the SVs were present, then their size was measured for the morphologic classification and diagnosis. All of the patients also received cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a series of 12 men with CBAVD, only 4 were found to have bilateral SV agenesis using MRI. The remaining 8 men with unilateral hypoplasia still had SV remnants. MRI also detected the intra-abdominal segment of the vas deferens. Through our study of MRI, SV agenesis is not well associated with the presence of CFTR mutation in patients with CAVD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI provides a precise imaginal diagnosis of SV defect, which is superior to the TRUS examination for the patients with CAVD. Compared with the previous inaccurate examination method of TRUS, this study demonstrates that MRI can provide better images for the patients with CAVD for the clinical diagnosis of existing defects of internal seminal tract and internal organs.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan. 053824@mail.fju.edu.tw
authors.forename: Han-Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Yi-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yi-No
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chien-Chih
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ming-Che
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chih-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics*; D019160:Endosonography; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: C505032:CFTR protein, human; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator