Comparison of Gray-scale Sonography with Doppler Evaluation in Diagnosis of Varicocele
Majid Galini1 and Seyed Morteza Bagheri2*1Resident of Radiology , Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2Department of Radiology, Hasheminejad Kidney Center (HKC), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
*Corresponding Author E-mail : smb_53@yahoo.com
Abstract: Varicocele is cited as one of the most common treatable causes of male factor infertility. Diagnosis of varicocele is based on physical examination and also sonography. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specifity of gray-scale sonography for diagnosis of varicocele . This cross-sectional study was performed on 92 patients in Hasheminejad kidney center , Tehran, Iran. Patients with suspected varicocele who referred to Radiology Department were included. Gray-scale sonography and Color Doppler Ultrasound were performed on patients at rest and Valsalva maneuver. Mean age of patients was 34/55±9/44. In this study a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 60.7% in gray-scale sonography during Valsalva maneuver were compared to Doppler sonography at cut point of 3/25 mm, and positive predictive value was 80% and negative predictive value was 48/6% (p<0.000), and also there was a significant relationship between duration of reflux and increasing of venous diameter. A sensitivity of 98/4% and specificity of 71.4% in gray-scale solography (with consideration of differentiation of diameter before and during Valsalva maneuver) were compared to Doppler sonography at cut point of 0.2 mm, and positive predictive value was 85.9% and negative predictive value was 94.7%. Based on the results of this study, gray scale ultrasound is a good imaging technique for Diagnosis of varicocele and differentiation of diameter before and after Valsalva maneuver had better sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value.
Keywords: Varicocele; Gray scale ultrasound; Doppler ultrasound Back to TOC