The relationship between testis arfi elastography values and sperm count in infertile patient

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the relationship between testicular shear wave elastography (SWE) and sperm count in infertile male patients and to evaluate diagnostic performance. Material and method: The study was carried out with 113 patients over 18 years of age who were diagnosed as infertility in the Gaziantep University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology. All patients underwent US examination and virtual touch tissue imaging measurement (VTIQ) SWE examination. A total of 6 measurements were made in each testis. Volume measurements of testes were calculated with US examination. Patients were evaluated for varicocele using color Doppler ultrasonography Results: Right and left testis volume values in azoospermia patients found statistically different and lower than other groups(p=0,001). The mean SWE values in all zones were significantly higher in azoospermia patients compared to the other groups (p=0.001). Moderate positive correlation was found between sperm count and mean volume (r =0.545, p =0.001). Negative correlation was found between sperm count and mean SWE (r =-0.429, p = 0.001). There was a moderate negative relationship between mean volume and mean SWE (r =-0.590, p =0.001). Using ROC analysis between normal sperm and azospermia patients, the cut-off value was 2.06 m/sec. sensitivity 72% specificity was measured 87.88%(p<0,001; AUC=0,837; Sensitivity= 72,00% (95% GA 46,5-85,1); Specifity=87,88% (95% GA 81,5-95,2). Using ROC analysis between the azoospermia patient group and the oligospermia patient group, the cut-off point was 2.04 m/sec. For differentiating azoospermia and oligospermia patients groups, the sensitivity (sensitivity) was 72% and the specifity was 83.33% (p<0,001; AUC=0,789; Sensitivity= 72,00% (95% GA 46,5-85,1); Specifity=83,33% (95% GA 81,5-95,). Conclusion: SWE is a noninvasive method for the evaluation of testicular parenchyma in male patients who have infertility and may provide helpful information in addition to gray scale and RDUS.