SONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF SCROTAL WALL THICKNESS

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Main function of scrotum is to hold testes at optimal temperature for spermatogenesis. Sperm production in the testes is a temperature sensitive process. It requires an environment that is 2 to 6°C cooler than the body core. The temperature of the testes is regulated by the scrotal wall. Tunica dartos muscle changes the surface area of the scrotal skin by contracting or relaxing depending on the ambient temperature. This study postulates that if the thickness or the tone of this muscle is more thereby contributing to scrotal wall thickening, it will hamper the thermoregulation and spermatogenesis leading to poor sperm production. This could be an besides varicocoele another cause of male infertility which has been an established cause. This study will help to suspect the patients of infertility caused by thick scrotal wall. This study is aimed to study scrotal wall thickness and with the help of Ultrasonography. to establish norms The study was conducted at department of Radio-diagnosis at the tertiary care hospital, Sangli. The study started after approval of institutional ethical committee. This is a cross sectional observational study for the duration of 4 months. Total number of 50 cases was achieved in this time duration which satised the inclusion criteria. Statistical method used was Student's T test. Scrotal ultrasonography was performed using linear and curvilinear probe with sta (5-12 MHz) (2-5 MHz) on Philips Afniti50, after ndoff pad allowing some time for the dartos muscle to relax and scrotal wall thickness is measured on either side on three surfaces (anterior, posterior and lateral) and means were obtained. This study found that there was no difference between anterior, posterior, lateral wall thicknesses on ipsilateral side or contralateral side. There is no need to take three different wall thicknesses and convenience and suitability of any scrotal wall thickness would be equally effective.