[Application value of scrotal ultrasonography in the etiological diagnosis of azoospermia].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the application of scrotal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the causes of azoospermia.

METHODS

We performed scrotal ultrasonography for 96 patients with azoospermia, and analyzed the ultrasonographic images in comparison with the results of the final diagnosis.

RESULTS

Based on the characteristics of the ultrasonographic images, 35 of the cases were diagnosed as obstructive azoospermia and the other 61 as non-obstructive azoospermia, with an accuracy rate of 97.0%. The causes and sites of the lesions were manifested in 44.4% of the obstructive and 46.7% of the non-obstructive cases, with accuracy rates of 100% and 75.0%, respectively. As for the rest of the cases, scrotal ultrasonography helped narrow the scope of further examinations by giving directional indications.

CONCLUSION

Scrotal ultrasonography is an essential means for the diagnosis of the causes of azoospermia, or for obtaining directional indications of its causes.