title: Potential role of imaging in assessing harmful effects on spermatogenesis in adult testes with varicocele.
abstract: Varicocele is characterized by an abnormal dilatation and retrograde blood flow in the spermatic veins. Varicocele is the leading correctable cause of male infertility. Although it is highly prevalent in infertile men, it is also observed in individuals with normal fertility. Determining which men are negatively affected by varicocele would enable clinicians to better select those men who will benefit from treatment. To assess the functional status of the testes in men with varicocele, color Doppler sonographic parameters were evaluated. Testicular arterial blood flow was significantly reduced in men with varicocele, reflecting an impairment of spermatogenesis. An improvement in the testicular blood supply was found after varicocelectomy on spectral Doppler analysis. Testicular contrast harmonic imaging and elastography might improve our knowledge about the influence of varicocele on intratesticular microcirculation and tissue stiffness, respectively, providing possible information on the early damage of testicular structure by varicocele. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient has been used to assess the degree of testicular dysfunction and to evaluate the effectiveness of varicocele repair. Large prospective studies are needed to validate the possible role of functional sonography and MRI in the assessment of early defects of spermatogenesis in testes with varicocele.
authors.affiliation: Athina C Tsili, Olga N Xiropotamou, Vasilios Maliakas, Maria I Argyropoulou, Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Ioannina, Medical School, University Campus, 45110 Epirus, Greece.
authors.forename: Athina C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tsili
authors.affiliation: Athina C Tsili, Olga N Xiropotamou, Vasilios Maliakas, Maria I Argyropoulou, Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Ioannina, Medical School, University Campus, 45110 Epirus, Greece.
authors.forename: Olga N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Xiropotamou
authors.affiliation: Athina C Tsili, Olga N Xiropotamou, Vasilios Maliakas, Maria I Argyropoulou, Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Ioannina, Medical School, University Campus, 45110 Epirus, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sylakos
authors.affiliation: Athina C Tsili, Olga N Xiropotamou, Vasilios Maliakas, Maria I Argyropoulou, Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Ioannina, Medical School, University Campus, 45110 Epirus, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maliakas
authors.affiliation: Athina C Tsili, Olga N Xiropotamou, Vasilios Maliakas, Maria I Argyropoulou, Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Ioannina, Medical School, University Campus, 45110 Epirus, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sofikitis
authors.affiliation: Athina C Tsili, Olga N Xiropotamou, Vasilios Maliakas, Maria I Argyropoulou, Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Ioannina, Medical School, University Campus, 45110 Epirus, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Argyropoulou
keywords: Diagnostic imaging; Doppler ultrasound imaging; Functional; Magnetic resonance imaging; Spermatogenesis; Ultrasonography; Varicocele