A Study about Reliability of Radioisotope in Diagnosing Varicocele / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

In order to consider the usefulness of radioisotope in diagnosing varicocele, a study was performed on 124 cases. Among them, 74 cases were diagnosed as varicocele, which included 16 cases of subclinical varicocele. Among 74 varicocele patients, 62 cases ( 83.8%) were diagnosed by varicocele index and 59 cases (79.7% ) were diagnosed by static image. A combination of the above two methods allowed 67 cases (90.5 %) to be diagnosed. 21 patients who had a high ligation of internal spermatic vein showed 11 excellent results, 6 good results and 4 poor results. Out of 10 patients with subclinical varicocele, there were 6 excellent results, 3 good results and 1 poor result and 9 patients showed improvement on postoperative semen analysis. There was no significant statistical difference in frequency of the testicular arterial insufficiency between the small varicocele group and the large varicocele group. Also, through scrotogram, it became known that semen analysis proved little help in aiding the diagnose of subclinical varicocele. In conclusion, 'Scrotogram proved very helpful in diagnosis and judging the results of operations of varicocele including subclinical varicocele.