The Role of Sonoelastography in the Evaluation of Testes With Varicocele

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of elastosonography in the evaluation of testicular elasticity as a predictive sign of testicular damage in patients with varicocele.

Materials and methods: Between December 2010 and December 2014, we evaluated patients with varicocele by sonoelastography (SE) of the testes. We created 3 groups: group A included patients with untreated varicocele; group B, patients treated with the same technique; and group C, healthy age-matched patients without varicocele. All patients underwent SE for the evaluation of testicular stiffness and results were graded from 1 to 3 following the color scale grading.

Results: During the study period, 36 boys (9-16 years old) with untreated varicocele, 47 treated patients, and 24 age-matched healthy subjects underwent control visit for varicocele and SE. All right testes of all groups were scored as 1, whereas testes with varicocele were stiffer than normal; all hypotrophies were scored as 3, whereas not all testes that were scored 3 were associated with testicular hypotrophy. There was a significant and statistical recovery rate of the testicular volume and the sonoelastographic score after surgery.

Conclusion: Testes with varicocele are significantly stiffer than normal ones. All testes with testicular hypotrophy had grade 3 sonoelastographic scores, but not all patients with a grade 3 score have testicular hypotrophy or continuous spermatic vein reflux. Our results show that sonoelasography can play a significant role in the evaluation of testicular elasticity as a predictive sign of testicular damage.