ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the value of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in the diagnosis of sterility caused by subclinical varicocele (SVC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The spermatic veins of 56 sterile patients with seminal abnormality were examined with CDFI and the internal diameters and the time of blood reflux of pampiniform plexus of the veins were observed. In addition, selective X-ray examination of internal spermatic veins was performed for contrast analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diameter of the pampiniform plexus was (2.24 +/- 0.16) mm under the static condition and (2.67 +/- 0. 26) mm during the Valsalva test. The time of blood reflux was (1 487 +/- 203.66) ms. The accuracy of CDFI for diagnosing SVC was 92.8%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CDFI has been proved of more value in the diagnosis of SVC than that of clinical varicocele in the etiological screening of male sterility.</p>