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A percutaneous large-needle aspiration biopsy technique for histologic examination of the testis in infertile
A Carpi1, F Menchini Fabris, I Gorini
1Department of Reproduction and Aging, University of Pisa, Italy. a.carpi@andros.med.unipi.it
Objective:
To describe a relatively new percutaneous large-needle aspiration biopsy technique for histologic examination of the testis in infertile patients.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of clinical and pathologic data.
Setting:
Clinical and academic research environment.
Patient(S):
Sixty-six infertile patients who underwent testicular biopsy.
Intervention(S):
Local anesthesia was induced through spermatic cord block with lidocaine, and a relatively large needle (usually 18- or 20-gauge) was introduced percutaneously into the testicle without a scrotal incision.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
The number of seminiferous tubules per histologic section of each testicular biopsy sample.
Result(S):
A mean of 74 seminiferous tubules were obtained in the histologic sections of each biopsy sample. This number varied according to the size of the needle used; it was 24.7 when a 21-gauge needle was used, 56.2 when a 20-gauge needle was used, and 103 when an 18-gauge needle was used. The biopsies were performed in the office. No significant hematomas occurred, no antibiotic prophylaxis was prescribed, and no postbiopsy medical or pharmacologic interventions were required.
Conclusion(S):
Tissue specimens as large as those obtained with open surgical biopsy can be obtained from the testicles of infertile patients with the use of a percutaneous technique that is easier, less costly, and safer than any previously reported.
