• Kayali Alperen, Seyfettin Ayca, Tor Unal, Gozukara Kerem Han, and Gorur Sadik.
• Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey.
• J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2022 Jul 1; 32 (7): 855-859.

ObjectiveTo investigate the testicular parenchymal changes in patients with varicocele using shear wave elastography (SWE).Study DesignCross-sectional study.Place And Duration Of StudyDepartment of Radiology, Hatay Mustafa Kemal, School of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey, between June and August 2021.MethodologyThe study was conducted on 124 testes of 62 patients who had undergone scrotal ultrasonography. Using the SWE technique, the mean velocity and stiffness values of each testis were measured and recorded, and varicocele volume was calculated by measuring testis volume and the Pampiniform plexus (pp) vein diameter on Doppler examination. After the exclusion criteria, 55 (44.3%) testes with varicocele and 69 (55.6%) testes without varicocele were examined. The relationship between the SWE values of testis volume and the presence and volume of varicocele was evaluated statistically.ResultsThe mean velocity value was 0.76 ± 0.08 m/s in the varicocele group and 0.85 ± 0.13 m/s in the without varicocele group; the mean stiffness value was 1.76 ± 0.37 KPa in the varicocele group and 2.25 ± 0.54 KPa in the without varicocele group. The SWE values were found to be significantly lower in testes with varicocele than in those without (p<0.001). The mean testis volume was 13.5 ± 4.6 in the varicocele group and 13.8 ± 4.4 in the without varicocele group. No statistically significant relationship was determined between the presence of varicocele and testis volume (p=0.670). A significant negative correlation was found between plexus pampiniform diameter and velocity (rs=-0.405, p=0.002) and stiffness (rs =-0.399, p=0.003) values.ConclusionSWE findings can provide information about testicular damage associated with varicocele. Furthermore comprehensive studies may be of importance in varicocele treatment.Key WordsShearwave elastography (SWE), Testis, Varicocele, Parenchymal stiffness.

12 keywords...

hide…