ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency of ultrasonographically detected intra-and extra-testicular abnormalities and the significance of oligospermia and azoospermia in men compared with that in normospermic controls. One hundred fifty six infertile men [117 oligospermia, sperm count <10x 10 [6] /ml, and 39 azoospermia, study group] aged 23-52 years [mean +/- SD, 27 +/- 7.3] and 100 control group aged 24-56 years [mean +/- SD, 26 +/- 8.4] were evaluated for the presence of scrotal abnormalities using high-frequency transducers and color Doppler imaging. Testicular volume, semen parameters, and hormonal levels were recorded. Fisher's exact test was used to determine difference between the two groups. One hundred thirty three of 156 [85.3%] patients in the study group had abnormal findings at scrotal ultrasonography compared with 30% of the controls. This difference was statistically significant [p<0.001]. These included varicocele in 53.8% vs 31% [p<0.01], testicular microlithiasis in 28.2% vs 2% [p<0.001], hydrocele in 46.2% vs 33% [p<0.05], epididymal cyst in 11.5% vs 3% [p<0.05], and epididymal enlargement in 10.3% vs 3% [p<0.05]. Utrasound shows a significantly higher frequency of intra- and extra-testicular abnormalities in oligospermia and azoospermia patients compared with the normospermic controls. Detection of these abnormalities by ultrasound may reflect their fertility status