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Updated: Sep 5, 2025
04:15
Combined Supine and Standing Imaging for Varicocele: An Improved Diagnostic Approach
Published on: November 22, 2024
273
Testes Parenchymal Shear Wave Elastography Findings in Varicocele
Kayali Alperen1, Seyfettin Ayca2, Tor Unal3
1Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey.
Summary
Shear wave elastography (SWE) revealed significantly lower testicular stiffness in patients with varicocele, indicating potential testicular damage. These findings suggest SWE can assess varicocele-related testicular changes and may aid in treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Urology
- Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
Background:
- Varicocele, a common cause of male infertility, can lead to testicular damage.
- Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging imaging technique for assessing tissue stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate testicular parenchymal stiffness changes in patients with varicocele using SWE.
- To investigate the relationship between SWE parameters and varicocele characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 62 patients (124 testes) was conducted.
- Shear wave elastography (SWE) was used to measure testicular velocity and stiffness.
- Varicocele volume and pampiniform plexus (pp) vein diameter were assessed via Doppler ultrasonography.
Main Results:
- Testes with varicocele exhibited significantly lower SWE velocity (0.76 ± 0.08 m/s) and stiffness (1.76 ± 0.37 KPa) compared to testes without varicocele (0.85 ± 0.13 m/s and 2.25 ± 0.54 KPa, respectively; p<0.001).
- No significant correlation was found between varicocele presence and testis volume (p=0.670).
- A significant negative correlation was observed between pampiniform plexus diameter and both velocity (rs=-0.405, p=0.002) and stiffness (rs =-0.399, p=0.003).
Conclusions:
- SWE can provide valuable information regarding testicular parenchymal changes associated with varicocele.
- Further research utilizing SWE may contribute to improved varicocele treatment strategies.
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