High-resolution real-time sonography of scrotal varicocele.

Real-time sonography of the scrotal veins was performed in 13 subjects with clinically obvious or small varicocele and in 10 normal controls. In normals, the vessels were 0.5-1.5 mm in caliber and a main draining vein up to 2 mm often was seen. In all varicoceles, numerous dilated, tortuous, branching vessels of uniform size were observed. Vessels of different lesions varied in caliber from 2 to 5 mm. Blood flow was seen in some normal vessels, and sluggish flow was observed in all varicoceles. The direction of visualized flow and the influence on flow of the upright position and Valsalva maneuver were shown with confidence only in large and medium-sized lesions. In these the findings were consistent with incompetence of the internal spermatic venous system. The cystic spaces in multiloculated spermatoceles or epididymal cysts varied more in size, were not tubular or branching, and no flow phenomenon was seen at high gain settings. Sonography provides an alternative to other noninvasive tests for detection of a small varicocele, especially in the infertile patient.

Comparison of computed tomography with high-resolution real-time ultrasound in the localization of the impalpable undescended testis.

Localization of an undescended testis was attempted in 23 instances in 20 patients using both computed tomography (CT) and high-resolution real-time ultrasonography. The testis was identified and correctly localized 16 times by CT and 15 times by ultrasound. There was one false-negative diagnosis by CT and two by ultrasound. False-positive diagnoses were not made with either modality in the six cases in which the testis was not found during exploratory surgery. CT showed 94% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 96% accuracy; ultrasound resulted in 88% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 91% accuracy. The authors recommend high-resolution real-time ultrasound as the modality of choice for this procedure because it is simple, accurate, and avoids the use of ionizing radiation. CT may be used when ultrasound findings are negative or equivocal. Angiography should rarely be required.

The diagnosis and surgical management of vasculogenic impotence.

Thirty-two patients have been treated for organic impotence at our institution during a 16-month period. Of these patients 5 were found to have penile vascular insufficiency and underwent a femorocavernosal bypass with an autogenous saphenous vein graft. Initial results were excellent but late failures occurred. At 28 months all shunts were occluded. Microscopic examination of the cavernous tissue revealed fibrous thickening of the septa and loss of cavernous spaces. These findings suggested that late failure in direct revascularization may be associated with fibrotic changes that occur under high pressure inflow to the corpora cavernosa.

CT in localization of impalpable cryptorchid testes.

Computed tomography was used for preoperative localization in 12 patients with undescended testes. Because three patients had bilateral involvement, 15 absent or undescended testes were studied. Surgical confirmation of the CT findings was obtained in 12 instances. Confirmation was not obtained in one patient who refused operation and it was considered incomplete in another due to limited surgical exploration. There was one incorrect localization. The procedure is quick, simple, noninvasive, and can be performed at all ages. The testicular radiation exposure was considered acceptable on the basis of phantom measurement. The lowest possible exposure factors were used on all patients. CT findings assisted planning of operative procedures and in some cases enabled more limited and shorter operations.

Vascular-induced erectile impotence in renal transplant recipients.

The incidence and pathogenesis of sexual dysfunction were studied in 16 male renal allograft recipients. In 9 patients with bilateral renal transplants in whom both internal iliac arteries were occluded nocturnal erections were absent and a penile arterial pulse could not be palpated. Of 7 patients with 1 renal allograft 4 demonstrated penile nocturnal tumescence and the penile pulse could be palpated in 5. Since interruption of pelvic arterial blood supply appears to contribute to impotence in renal transplant recipients consideration should be given to the use of the external iliac artery for arterial anastomosis. Two patients were treated successfully with an inflatable penile prosthesis.