Color Doppler Sonography in the Assessment of Varicocele Testis

Abstract

Color Doppler sonography is a new reliable and noninvasive diagnostic method in the evaluation of varicocele testes. Thirty-two persons (14 with varicoceles and 18 controls) participated in the investigation. We found two different graphs (spectral analysis) in men with varicoceles testis during the Valsalva's manoeuvre. Semen analysis from these males with varicocele was compared with an agematched control group without varicocele. The analysis revealed significant difference in qualitative motility and qualitative motility after 24 hours but no significant difference in other parameters of semen quality. There were significant difference in the normal semen morphology but no difference in abnormal forms among the two groups. We did not find a spectral picture that could predict a compromised sperm quality in the varicocele group. These data show that the color doppler is an important tool in the detection of a varicocele. It is important for the patient to understand the Valsalva's manoeuvre and we suggest that all males being evaluated in an infertility clinic undergo a color doppler scan with and without the Valsalva's manoeuvre and that a spectral analysis be performed to locate even small varicoceles.

Key words:

• varicocele testis
• color doppler