Shear wave elastography for judging testicular spermatogenesis
10.13929/j.issn.1003-3289.2020.10.017
- VernacularTitle: 剪切波弹性成像技术判断睾丸生精功能
- Author:
Tian LI
1
Author Information
1. Department of Ultrasound, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Elasticity imaging techniques;
Spermatogenesis;
Testis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology
2020;36(10):1508-1511
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To explore whether shear wave elastography could be used to judge the severity of testicular spermatogenic damage. Methods: A total of 38 patients with azoospermia (azoospermia group) and 34 patients with oligospermia (oligospermia group) were included, while 33 normal semen subjects were selected as controls(control group). The differences of testicular volume (TV), testicular shear wave velocity (SWV) and SWV heterogeneity were compared among groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of SWV and SWV heterogeneity. Results: TV in azoospermia group was significantly lower than that in the other 2 groups (both P<0.05), and no significant difference of TV between oligospermia group and control group (P>0.05). No statistically significant difference of age was found among 3 groups. SWV and SWV heterogeneity in azoospermia group were both significantly higher than those in the other 2 groups (both P<0.05), and no significant difference of SWV nor SWV heterogeneity was detected between oligospermia group and control group (P>0.05). SWV of TV<10 ml testes were significantly higher than that of testes with TV≥10 ml (P<0.05). SWV was negatively correlated with TV (r=-0.42, P<0.05). SWV heterogeneity was weakly correlated with TV (r=-0.19, P>0.05). The ROC curve was established based on SWV and SWV heterogeneity values of azoospermia group and control group. Taken 1.73 m/s as the critical value of SWV, the AUC was 0.84, the sensitivity was 89.41%, and the specificity was 76.53%. When SWV heterogeneity was 1.54 m/s and AUC was 0.75, the sensitivity and specificity was 68.10% and 73.03%, respectively. Conclusion: Measuring the hardness of testicular tissue with SWV showed good clinical value in assessment of severely impaired testicular spermatogenesis.
