[Continuous emission Doppler ultrasonography in the study of varicoceles]

Because of their anatomical situation and their physiology, spermatic veins are a privileged site for Doppler ultrasonography examinations. By applying an 8 MHz sound above the testis at the level of the hilum before the entrance into the inguinal canal, recordings can be made by means of the respiratory phases, of spermatic vein blood flow rate. Reflux can be demonstrated by employing Valsalva's manoeuvre. Normal spermatic veins can be differentiated from loops, varicoceles with reflux and spermatic and/or iliac spermatic vein thromboses of 95 patients with oligo-asthenospermia examined in this way, 77 (81%) had a reflux to Doppler, and 55 (nearly 75%) had a bilateral reflux.