Evaluation of Normal and Varicocele-Bearing Testes Using Real-time Strain Elastography.

Abstract

To evaluate testes in patients with varicocele using real-time strain elastography and to correlate the results with the patients' clinical, seminal, and hormonal profiles. Fifty patients with left varicocele and 20 age-matched control participants were included in the study. All participants were evaluated via a historical interview, clinical examination, including testicular volume and varicocele grade, hormonal assay (total and free testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone), computer-assisted semen analysis, and testicular assessment using real-time strain elastography to define the strain ratio and elasticity score. Testicular volume and sperm parameters were significantly lower (P < .001), whereas the follicle-stimulating hormone level, strain ratio, and elasticity score were significantly higher (P < .01; P < .001; P < .001, respectively), in the varicocele group. Other hormone levels in the endocrine profile were not significantly different between the groups. Significant negative correlations were found between the elasticity score and testicular volume and the percentage of normal forms (P = .029; P = .005). The varicocele grade showed significant positive correlations with both the strain ratio and elasticity score (P < .001). Strong correlations were found between real-time strain elastography and the testicular volume, varicocele grade, and sperm morphologic characteristics. Real-time strain elastography is a simple, noninvasive investigative modality that can potentially be used to study the structure and function of the testicular tissue in varicocele.