Transutricular seminal vesiculoscopy

Abstract

Disorders of the seminal vesicle have been evaluated mainly via imaging techniques. We developed a technique to examine the interior of seminal vesicles endoscopically. In 37 hemospermic patients, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) or endorectal MRI were performed preoperatively. When the patients had definite abnormalities on the imaging studies and did not improve after medication over a period exceeding 3 months, transutricular seminal vesiculoscopy was performed using a 6F or a 9F rigid ureteroscope. Patients were then followed for at least 3 months. Endoscopic evaluation was also performed in two patients with stage B(1) and D(2) prostate carcinoma. In hemospermic patients, hemorrhage was found in the seminal vesicles or the ejaculatory ducts in 23 (62.2%) and 3 (8.1%), respectively. Calculi were present in the seminal vesicles or ejaculatory ducts in 6 (16.2%) and 2 (5.4%), respectively. In prostate carcinoma patients, seminal vesiculoscopy was similarly informative. Postoperative complications, including epididymitis or retrograde ejaculation, were not observed. Transutricular seminal vesiculoscopy can be performed easily with conventional endoscopic equipment and provides useful information.