Abstract
Objectives: To define the normative values of scrotal vein diameters, investigate the eventual presence and characteristics of scrotal reflux in healthy subjects, and describe its implication for the diagnosis of scrotal varicocele. Methods: Color-Doppler ultrasonography was performed on a population of 145 healthy, symptomless subjects, with clinical examinations and semen analyses within normal limits. Results: The upper limit of the scrotal veins diameter (3.7-3.8 mm) exceeds values presently employed for a diagnosis of varicocele. Furthermore, a high percentage of healthy subjects (53%) were found to have reflux in the scrotal veins, currently considered one of the criteria for diagnosing varicocele, especially in its subclinical form. Conclusions: To reduce the risk of misinterpretations between the various specialists involved in Color-Doppler ultrasonography and urologists, quantitative data of the scrotal veins (i.e., maximum diameter and the presence, velocity, and duration of reflux) should be described in reports of sonographic examinations performed for scrotal varicocele.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 345-350 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | European Urology |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2006 |
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Keywords
- Color-Doppler ultrasonography
- Normative study
- Scrotal varicocele
- Sonography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology
Cite this
Sonographic Quantitative Evaluation of Scrotal Veins in Healthy Subjects : Normative Values and Implications for the Diagnosis of Varicocele. / Cina, Alessandro; Minnetti, Marco; Pirronti, Tommaso; Vittoria Spampinato, Maria; Canadè, Adolfo; Oliva, Giulio; Ribatti, Domenico; Bonomo, Lorenzo.
In: European Urology, Vol. 50, No. 2, 08.2006, p. 345-350.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Sonographic Quantitative Evaluation of Scrotal Veins in Healthy Subjects
T2 - Normative Values and Implications for the Diagnosis of Varicocele
AU - Cina, Alessandro
AU - Minnetti, Marco
AU - Pirronti, Tommaso
AU - Vittoria Spampinato, Maria
AU - Canadè, Adolfo
AU - Oliva, Giulio
AU - Ribatti, Domenico
AU - Bonomo, Lorenzo
PY - 2006/8
Y1 - 2006/8
N2 - Objectives: To define the normative values of scrotal vein diameters, investigate the eventual presence and characteristics of scrotal reflux in healthy subjects, and describe its implication for the diagnosis of scrotal varicocele. Methods: Color-Doppler ultrasonography was performed on a population of 145 healthy, symptomless subjects, with clinical examinations and semen analyses within normal limits. Results: The upper limit of the scrotal veins diameter (3.7-3.8 mm) exceeds values presently employed for a diagnosis of varicocele. Furthermore, a high percentage of healthy subjects (53%) were found to have reflux in the scrotal veins, currently considered one of the criteria for diagnosing varicocele, especially in its subclinical form. Conclusions: To reduce the risk of misinterpretations between the various specialists involved in Color-Doppler ultrasonography and urologists, quantitative data of the scrotal veins (i.e., maximum diameter and the presence, velocity, and duration of reflux) should be described in reports of sonographic examinations performed for scrotal varicocele.
AB - Objectives: To define the normative values of scrotal vein diameters, investigate the eventual presence and characteristics of scrotal reflux in healthy subjects, and describe its implication for the diagnosis of scrotal varicocele. Methods: Color-Doppler ultrasonography was performed on a population of 145 healthy, symptomless subjects, with clinical examinations and semen analyses within normal limits. Results: The upper limit of the scrotal veins diameter (3.7-3.8 mm) exceeds values presently employed for a diagnosis of varicocele. Furthermore, a high percentage of healthy subjects (53%) were found to have reflux in the scrotal veins, currently considered one of the criteria for diagnosing varicocele, especially in its subclinical form. Conclusions: To reduce the risk of misinterpretations between the various specialists involved in Color-Doppler ultrasonography and urologists, quantitative data of the scrotal veins (i.e., maximum diameter and the presence, velocity, and duration of reflux) should be described in reports of sonographic examinations performed for scrotal varicocele.
KW - Color-Doppler ultrasonography
KW - Normative study
KW - Scrotal varicocele
KW - Sonography
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33745937518&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33745937518&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.eururo.2006.02.055
DO - 10.1016/j.eururo.2006.02.055
M3 - Article
C2 - 16542771
AN - SCOPUS:33745937518
VL - 50
SP - 345
EP - 350
JO - European Urology
JF - European Urology
SN - 0302-2838
IS - 2
ER -