Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of the testis: Preliminary observations

Diffusion tensor imaging parameters in testes with nonobstructive azoospermia

“…In structured tissues, like testis, water diffusion is relatively unhindered in the direction parallel to radially oriented elements, such as spermatic tubules, septa, and vessels and hindered in the direction perpendicular to the structured elements . The diffusion in normal testis was therefore expected to be anisotropic, although the present study, similar to a previous report, found an isotropic diffusion pattern …”

“…14,15 The diffusion in normal testis was therefore expected to be anisotropic, although the present study, similar to a previous report, found an isotropic diffusion pattern. 29 ADC is a measure of the magnitude of diffusion, inversely related to cell density. The directionality of water diffusion can be expressed by FA using DTI.…”

“…Information obtained from DTI contains not only the amount of diffusion but also the anisotropy of diffusion, which is quantified by the fractional anisotropy (FA) . In a previous study, the ADC and FA of normal adult testis was measured and the value of DTI in the characterization of various testicular lesions was assessed . The purpose of the present study was to assess differences of ADC and FA in NOA testes with impaired spermatogenesis and the existence of a probable association with the presence of spermatozoa retrieved post‐TESE.…”

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In a previous study, the ADC and FA of normal adult testis was measured and the value of DTI in the characterization of various testicular lesions was assessed. 29 The purpose of the present study was to assess differences of ADC and FA in NOA testes with impaired spermatogenesis and the existence of a probable association with the presence of spermatozoa retrieved post-TESE.…”

Diffusion tensor imaging as an adjunct tool for the diagnosis of varicocele

“…In a few recently published studies, DTI has been reported as a promising imaging tool for functional MRI of the testis, assessing not only the intensity of water diffusion, but also the direction. The ADC and fractional anisotropy (FA) values of normal testicular parenchyma were measured; the efficacy of DTI in differentiating various intratesticular mass lesions was assessed, and the possible role of the technique in the evaluation of testes with nonobstructive azoospermia was investigated (Tsili et al, ). As to our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature assessing testicular DTI parameters in patients with varicocele.…”