Radiologically assessed testicular changes in infertile males with varicocele

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess vascular disturbances in the testis of infertile males associated with varicocele. In total, 124 consecutive male subjects were divided into the following groups: healthy fertile controls (n = 10), Gp1 (n = 28); infertile males with subclinical varicocele, Gp2 (n = 26); infertile males with grade I left varicocele, Gp3 (n = 28); infertile males with grade II left varicocele and Gp4 (n = 32); infertile males with grade III left varicocele. They were subjected to colour duplex for pampiniform plexus and scrotal scintigraphy. There was significant decrease in arterial blood velocity, testicular arterial diameters and testicular perfusion especially in high grade varicocele compared with healthy controls. The mean vein diameter demonstrated significant negative correlation with arterial diameter, arterial blood velocity, perfusion index, testicular size and significant positive correlation with perfusion index. The mean testicular size demonstrated significant positive correlation with arterial blood velocity, perfusion index and nonsignificant correlation with arterial diameter. It is concluded that there are significant decreases in testicular volume, testicular perfusion, blood velocity and testicular artery diameter in infertile males with varicocele.

Testicular Sonographic Color Doppler Dynamic Tissue Perfusion Measurements in Adolescents with Varicocele

“…If venous pressure alone increases as in varicocele, a reflex increase in precapillary resistance with diminished testicular blood flow com- promises the nutrient supply to the testis [16]. It is concluded that there are decreases in testis size, testicular perfusion, blood velocity, and testicular arteries diameter in infertile males associated with varicocele [14]. Actually, testicular scintigraphy has more scientific value than the practical one.…”

“…In the study of Hassan, scintigraphic measures showed significantly decreased arterial perfusions at early 15 s in testicular arterial blood velocity [14]. Suga et al [15] reported decreased arterial perfusion of leftsided varicocele after sequential scrotal scintigraphy.…”

Significant worsening sperm parameters are associated to testicular hypotrophy in patients with a high grade varicocele

“…Varicocele is the most common preventable cause of male infertility. 6 The most common findings following semen analysis are decreased motility and sperm density, and increased number of pathologic sperm forms in adults. 5 Radiological and histological testicular changes may be seen in patients with varicocele.…”

Los parámetros espermáticos significativos que empeoran están asociados con la hipotrofia testicular en pacientes con varicocele de alto grado

“…Hassan et al sugieren que la velocidad de la sangre arterial, los diámetros arteriales testiculares y la perfusión testicular disminuyeron significativamente en pacientes con varicocele de alto grado en comparación con los controles sanos 6 . Los hallazgos más comunes después del análisis de semen son el descenso de la motilidad y la densidad de los espermatozoides y el aumento del número de formas patológicas de esperma en los adultos 7 .…”