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Infrared thermometry for rapid, noninvasive detection of reflux of spermatic vein in varicocele
T Takada1, M Kitamura, K Matsumiya
1Department of Urology, Osaka Central Hospital, Japan.
Purpose:
We evaluated infrared thermometry for measurement of reflux of blood via the internal spermatic vein.
Materials And Methods:
The change in scrotal temperature in patients with varicoceles and controls with different positions was measured with an infrared thermometer.
Results:
Scrotal neck temperature in the patients increased during Valsalva's maneuver with upright position (mean plus or minus standard deviation 34.62 +/- 1.20 to 36.05 +/- 1.42C), while no statistically significant increase occurred in the controls (32.91 +/- 0.92 to 33.42 +/- 1.15C). Two weeks after high ligation of the internal spermatic vein the scrotal temperature in the patients decreased to the same level (0.59 +/- 0.84C) as in the controls. Using this method 2 subclinical varicoceles were also found on the right side in patients with a left varicocele.
Conclusions:
Infrared thermometry is noninvasive, rapid and simple for documenting varicoceles, including subclinical disease.
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