Diffusion-weighted MRI of the testes in patients with varicocele: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
This preliminary study aimed to evaluate changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the testes in patients presenting with varicocele.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 25 consecutively recruited patients with varicocele and 25 healthy control volunteers. The ADC values were measured in all participants. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were used to test the normality of the data distributions, and the data were expressed as arithmetic means and SDs. A one-way analysis of variance with a post hoc Bonferroni test was used to analyze normally distributed continuous data. Independent sample Student t tests were used to compare continuous variables between two groups. Furthermore, a Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to examine the association of venous diameters with mean ADC values in patients with varicocele. A two-sided p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sensitivities, specificities, and areas under the curve were calculated for the ADC values.


RESULTS
The ADC values associated with the ipsilateral testicular parenchyma of patients with varicocele were found to be lower than those of healthy volunteers. Moreover, the ADC values of the contralateral testicular parenchyma in patients with varicocele were also lower than those of healthy volunteers. The sensitivity and specificity of ADC values were 90% and 96%, respectively, for patients with varicocele and 89.5% and 96% for healthy volunteers. The mean ADC values were significantly negatively correlated with venous diameter.


CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of testicular ADC values may be used as a diagnostic indicator in the detection of testicular fibrosis.
1 Department of Radiology, Harran University, Faculty of Medicine, Yenisehir Campus, Sanlıurfa 63300, Turkey.
Ekrem
E
Karakas
Omer
O
Karakas
Nesat
N
Cullu
Omer Faruk
OF
Badem
Fatıma Nurefsan
FN
Boyacı
Mehmet
M
Gulum
Hasan
H
Cece
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013737:Testis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014646:Varicocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*