Varicocele is the most frequent cause of male subfertility. Because it is the most common surgically correctable cause of male infertility, its diagnosis is important. For diagnosis of varicoceles, venography, thermography, and doppler stethoscope were available, but they involved invasiveness, inaccuracy, lack of objectivity and cosiliness. Two noninvasive methods for detecting varicoceles. scrotogram using Technetium and digital infrared thermography imaging(DITI), were evaluated in 52 patients complaining of infertility. The results of scrotogram and thermography were not consistent in these patients. When the varicoceles were confirmed with internal spermatic venography or high ligation of internal spermatic vein, the physical examination was the most accurate method. compared with scrotogram and thermography. Scrotogram (0.73) was more sensitive than thermography(0.64). The each combination of the two of physical examination scrotogram and thermography increased the accuracy in terms of sensitivity and positive predictive value. This study suggest that the combination of scrotogram and thermography with physical examination would increase the diagnostic accuracy in the varicoceles.
Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Ligation ; Male ; Phlebography ; Physical Examination ; Stethoscopes ; Technetium ; Thermography* ; Varicocele* ; Veins

Percutaneous trans-jugular sclerotherapy of the internal spermatic vein was performed in 7 infertile men with varicoceles. The occlusion of spermatic vein was undertaken with hot contrast media at a temperature of 100 degrees C in 2 patients and absolute ethanol in 5 ones, respectively. All procedures were performed satisfactorily and no recurrence was noted in the follow up period. Hot contrast media produced severe pain whereas absolute ethanol revealed no complication during procedure. Percutaneous sclerotherapy is a safe and effective alternative to surgical method in the treatment of varicoceles. Moreover absolute ethanol seems to be superior to hot contrast media as sclerosing agent.
Contrast Media ; Ethanol* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Recurrence ; Sclerotherapy* ; Varicocele* ; Veins