Frequency of scrotal abnormalities detected by ultrasound in infertile men at king hussein medical center

Abstract EN

Objective: To determine the frequency of ultrasonographically detected intra-and extra-testicular abnormalities and the significance of oligospermia and azoospermia in men compared with that in normospermic controls.

Methods: One hundred fifty six infertile men (117 oligospermia, sperm count <10x 106 /ml, and 39 azoospermia, study group) aged 23-52 years (mean + SD, 27+7.3), and 100 control group aged 24-56 years (mean + SD, 26+8.4) were evaluated for the presence of scrotal abnormalities using high-frequency transducers and color Doppler imaging.

Testicular volume, semen parameters, and hormonal levels were recorded.

Fisher’s exact test was used to determine differences between the two groups.

Results: One hundred thirty three of 156 (85.3%) patients in the study group had abnormal findings at scrotal ultrasonography compared with 30% of the controls.

This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001).

These included varicocele in 53.8% vs 31% (p<0.01), testicular microlithiasis in 28.2% vs 2% (p<0.001), hydrocele in 46.2% vs 33% (p<0.05), epididymal cyst in 11.5% vs 3% (p<0.05), and epididymal enlargement in 10.3% vs 3% (p<0.05).

Testicular tumor was not seen in any of the subjects in both groups.

Conclusion: Ultrasound shows a significantly higher frequency of intra- and extra-testicular abnormalities in oligospermia and azoospermia patients compared with the normospermic controls.

Detection of these abnormalities by ultrasound may reflect their fertility status.