[Radionuclide scrotal imaging: an effective method for detecting varicocele].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate radionuclide scrotal imaging (RSI) in the diagnosis of varicocele.

METHODS

We performed physical examination (PE) and RSI for 126 patients with infertility for at least 12 months and seminal abnormality, obtained the scrotal blood-pool index (SBPI), observed the reflux in the spermatic vein during RSI, typed and graded varicocele by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and compared the results of PE and RSI with those of CDFI.

RESULTS

The rates of sensitivity and specificity of RSI in the diagnosis of varicocele (96.5% and 97.1%) were both higher than those of PE (71.7% and 69.1%).

CONCLUSION

Simple, accurate and noninvasive, RSI is an effective method for the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical varicocele.