Management of male infertility: roles of contact thermography, spermatic venography, and embolization

Pochaczevsky, Rubem; Lee, Won Jae; Mallett, Errol C.

doi:10.2214/ajr.147.1.97

Cited by 15 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The accuracy of detection of varicoceles by physical examination has been shown to be correlated with the experience and expertise of the physician ( World Health Organization, 1992a). The reported false positive rate of palpation compared with venography varies from 24 to 67% ( World Health Organization, 1985; Pochaczevsky et al ., 1986 ; Petros et al ., 1991; Trum et al ., 1996 ), and was only 5% in one study ( Comhaire et al ., 1976 ). Since palpation is not a very accurate screening method, we suggest routine performance of CDU, which may find additional pathology (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of sperm count and motility after ligation of varicoceles detected with colour Doppler ultrasonography

et al. 1998

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The debate regarding the efficacy of varicocele ligation for improvement of semen parameters and pregnancy rates is ongoing. In addition, no consensus exists as to the benefit of treatment of subclinical varicoceles. The aim of this study was to investigate, retrospectively, the effect of high ligation of both subclinical and clinical varicoceles on sperm count and motility. The value of several factors from history-taking and physical examination for the prediction of successful varicocelectomy was analysed. A total of 139 patients, operated on for a unilateral varicocele on the left side, were studied. Varicoceles were subclinical in 73 patients, based on colour Doppler ultrasonography, and 66 varicoceles were clinical, based on palpation in addition to ultrasonography. Comparison of semen parameters before and after surgery revealed a significant improvement. The median sperm count increased from 10.0 to 14.7, and from 18.2 to 28.6 million/ejaculate, in patients with subclinical and clinical varicoceles, respectively (p < 0.001). The percentage improvement in median sperm count in subclinical varicoceles was not statistically different from the improvement in clinical varicoceles. Mean progressive motility improved significantly after ligation (p < 0.001). The improvement in motility in subclinical varicoceles, from 16 to 23%, was significantly larger than the 24 to 27% improvement in clinical varicoceles. The increase in sperm count was related positively to testicular volume before surgery (p < 0.05). The increase in sperm motility was significantly lower in patients with a history of cryptorchidism (n = 22, p < 0.05). The present data show that ligation of varicoceles detected using Doppler ultrasonography, whether palpable or not, results in an increase in sperm concentration and motility.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of sperm count and motility after ligation of varicoceles detected with colour Doppler ultrasonography

et al. 1998

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In our study this occurred in 29% of the cases. Reviewing the literature comparing results of venography with physical examination, the presence of subclinical varicoceles varied from 24 to 50% (Comhaire et al, 1976;Tremblay et al, 1980;WHO, 1985;Basile-Fasole et al, 1986;Pochaczevsky et al, 1986;Petros et al, 1991). In the same studies the false positive rate, i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As an alternative to the infra red camera an easier, quicker and cheaper method using liquid crystal contact colour thermography was developed. The test had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 50%, but the sample size was too small to draw firm conclusions (Pochaczevsky et al, 1986). Another larger study concluded that contact thermography had a sensitivity of only 20% and the use was limited to quantification of a clinical varicocele (Basile-Fasole et al, 1986).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The value of palpation, varicoscreen contact thermography and colour Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of varicocele

et al. 1996

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Three non-invasive methods for the detection of a varicocele were evaluated in 63 men presenting with infertility. Physical examination, varicoscreen contact thermography and colour Doppler ultrasound were compared with spermatic venography as reference strategy. Physical examination had a sensitivity of 71%. Whether the non-palpable varicoceles are all subclinical is questionable since the specificity of physical examination was 69%. Varicoscreen proved to be quick, easy and cheap but of no clinical value (sensitivity 97%, specificity 9%). Colour Doppler ultrasound using strict criteria was a good diagnostic tool (sensitivity 97%, specificity 94%). No imaging difference was seen with colour Doppler ultrasound among clinical and subclinical varicoceles. Since the debate on treating all degrees of varicoceles is ongoing, we suggest that Doppler sonography should be a routine examination in infertile men.

show abstract

“…The application of LCT was later extended to identifying painful varicocele. 77 LCT has also shown promise 78 as an additional diagnostic tool in the assessment of back pain where alternative techniques may lead to falsely positive results due to previous surgery. A later study 79 reported a reduced usefulness of the technique in revealing nerve root compression in lumbosacral lateral spinal stenosis.…”

Section: Review Of Lct As An Investigative and Diagnostic Tool In Medmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative thermal imaging using liquid crystals

Ashforth-Frost

1996

J. Biomed. Opt.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A detailed knowledge of surface temperatures is vitally important in many fields of science and engineering. Thermochromic liquid crystals have become widely accepted over the past decade as a simple, low-cost, and accurate tool for temperature measurement, but their potential in biological surface temperature monitoring or heat production, or biomechanics, has not been fully exploited. In this paper, the principles and practice of using liquid crystal thermography for noninvasive temperature measurement are discussed. Types of liquid crystal materials, their application to surfaces, chromatic interpretation, and associated advantages and limitations are summarized. Finally, the application of liquid crystals to particular fields of interest in biomedical engineering is reviewed and potential applications are identified. Based on this review, the suitability of using liquid crystals in medical applications is assessed.

show abstract

Management of male infertility: roles of contact thermography, spermatic venography, and embolization

Cited by 15 publications

References 0 publications

Improvement of sperm count and motility after ligation of varicoceles detected with colour Doppler ultrasonography

Improvement of sperm count and motility after ligation of varicoceles detected with colour Doppler ultrasonography

The value of palpation, varicoscreen contact thermography and colour Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of varicocele

Quantitative thermal imaging using liquid crystals

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About