This was a comparative study to determine the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration of the testis compared with open testicular biopsy in azoospermic men. A total of 34 infertile, azoospermic patients aged from 26-54 years underwent concurrent testicular fine needle aspiration (FNA) and biopsy. The testis was aspirated at three separated sites (upper, middle and lower pole) using a 20 ml syringe and 21-G butterfly needle. A testicular biopsy was taken from the same sites. Samples obtained from FNA were air-dried and stained with Romanowsky-May-Grunwald-Giemsa method. Sections obtained from testicular biopsy were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The patient's history, semen analyses, hormonal profile and testicular volume were analysed, and in addition to the histological results azoospermia was classified into obstructive and non-obstructive. A good correlation between cytological smears and histological sections was found in 65 of 68 testes (95.6%). Normal spermatogenesis was diagnosed in seven patients (20.6%), hypospermatogenesis in nine (26.5%), late maturation arrest in five (14.7%), early maturation arrest in three (8.8%) and Sertoli only-cell in 10 (29.4%) patients. Discordance between cytology and histology was observed in three of 68 testes (4.4%) and was related to inadequacy of FNA. Testicular fine needle aspiration is a simple, minimally-invasive procedure that can diagnose accurately testicular function. In addition to the testicular volume and hormonal status, it can differentiate the obstructive from non-obstructive azoospermia. In cases of non-obstructive azoospermia, multiple passes with a fine needle can be performed instead of open testicular biopsy for sperm extraction if present.

A total of 32 azoospermic men aged 24 to 54 years were studied perspectively at King Hussein Medical Center.Patient history, semen analyses, hormonal status, and testicular volume were analyzed.High-resolution ultrasound scan machine with a 7.0-MHz transducer was performed on all patients to detect testicular microlithiasis.Testicular biopsy was per formed on all patients.Based on the clinical findings outlined in this article, it is concluded that testicular ultrasound examination is a simple, rapid, and non-invasive diagnostic tool in evaluating the testicular body.Based on testicular volume, hormonal status, presence, and degree of testicular microlithiasis, ultrasound scanning has a significant role in differentiating OA from NOA.