Technical Refinement of 99mTc-RBC Scrotal Scan for Evaluating Varicocele.
- Author:
Koon Ho RHA
1
;
Min Chong LEE
;
Joong Suk ROH
;
Won Sik HAHM
;
Woong Hee LEE
;
Moo Sang LEE
;
Byeong Cheol AHN
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. khrha@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Tc-99m labelled RBC;
Blood pool scan;
Scrotal scan;
Varicocele index;
Varicocele
- MeSH:
Diagnosis;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Infertility;
Infertility, Male;
Male;
Scrotum;
Valsalva Maneuver;
Varicocele*;
Volunteers
- From:Korean Journal of Andrology
2001;19(3):195-198
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The association of varicoceles and subfertility has been well documented. Although varicoceles remain the most common surgically correctable cause of male infertility the subjective diagnosis of varicocele, especially the small ones remains a challenge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 40 young men (16 volunteers, 24 varicocele patients) with scrotal blood pool scan using 99mTc RBC. RESULTS: Complete correlation between physical findings and the scrotal scan was found. The postoperative scans of 12 patients with surgically corrected high grade varicoceles demonstrated symmetrical photon accumulation in the scrotum. The technique which most accurately correlated the clinical grade was the varicocele index using total count at Valsalva maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the 99mTc RBC scrotal scan with technical refinement is a useful procedure in the objective diagnosis and followup of varicoceles.
