Scrotal ultrasound and scrotal color doppler ultrasound's role in terms of predicting spermiogram findings

Scrotal Ultrasound and Scrotal Color doppler ultrasound's Role in terms of predicting Spermiogram Findings Purpose: Investigating the role of scrotal ultrasound and scrotal color Doppler ultrasound findings at predicting spermiogram findings for infertile men with no additional urogenital disease other than varicocele. Matherials and Methods: 154 infertile men who applied to Çukurova University Medical School Balcalı Hospital between 01 January 2014 and 31 December 2015 and who were evaluated as having normal testicular parenchyma both, having no abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones, no additional urogenital diseases other than varicocele were included in this study. Scrotal ultrasound-color Doppler ultrasound records of patients were obtained from our hospital automation system; Spermiogram results were obtained from in vitro fertilization center, and were reviewed retrospectively. Individuals with similar scrotalultrasound-color doppler ultrasound findings were grouped amongst themselves. Whether a relationship with groups and spermiogram exists was investigated. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Findings: When other reasons have been ruled out in terms of infertility, varicoceles was found at a rate of 70.13% among infertile men. In infertile patients without varicoceles, azoospermia was seen in 6 cases (13%); but inpatients with varicocele, 13 cases (11.9%) had azoospermia. 17 cases of infertile patients (37%) without varicocele; 26 cases of patients with varicocele (23.9%) had normal total sperm counts and sperm concentration. In infertile patients between 22-34 years of age, the most seen was normal individuals with 13 cases (%50) with normal sperm concentration and total sperm count at group without varicocele, and at group patients with varicocele, with 20 cases (27.4%) there was non-severe oligospermic individuals present at most. In infertile patients between 35-62 years of age,at group patients without varicocele most cases were individuals with severe oligozoospermia with 7 patients (35%); in patient group with varicocele, with 16 cases (44%) severe oligospermic individuals were present at most. Results: Among relatively young patients (22-34 age range according to age range 35-62) who applied because of infertility, if other causes of infertility does not exist, varicocele was observed with greater frequency. If we make a comparison between infertile individuals having no azoospermia, sperm concentration and total sperm count were decreased as average age increases. Significant difference was not observed as proportional distribution of azoospermia between the groups with or without varicocele. This finding suggests that varicoceles is not cause of azoospermia. It is found that varicoceles in infertile individuals may reduce the total sperm count and sperm concentration and it may cause oligospermia. In infertile patients without any additional urogenital disease, whose both testicular parenchyma is normal, no abnormalities in thehypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones, it is not possible to predict the spermiogram findings with scrotal ultrasound and color doppler ultrasound VIII findings alone. In individuals with or without varicocele, it is only possible to tell average values. In order to establish more accutate average values, it would be more appropriate to study on larger groups of patients. Keywords: Scrotal ultrasound, Scrotal color doppler ultrasound, Spermiogram, Semen Analysis