The Role Of Scrotal Scintigraphy In The Prediction Of Postoperative Seminal Improvement In Varicocele

Objective:To investigate the hemodynamics of left varicoceles using radionuclide scrotal scintigraphy between three types of scrotal following the time-activity curve (TAC). Then the value of this method in the prediction of seminal improvement afte varicocelectomy was assessed.Methods:A total of 39 men with left side varicocele presented for surgery because of infertility.Three perfusion patterns according to the time-activity curve (TAC) generated from scrotal persusion images were defined before varicocelctomy:TAC1.TAC2, TAC3.The seminal findings of total 39 patients between preoperative and postoperative were investigated.The effect of varicocelectomy on semen analyses were compared between the types of TAC. Results:Improvement in sperm concentration was statistically significant in total 39 patients..Improvement in sperm motility was not statistically significant in total 39 patients..Improvement in sperm concentration were statistically significant in TAC1 and TAC2. Improvement in sperm concentration was not statistically significant in TAC3.Semen analysis showed improved sperm concentration in 87,70 and 38% of TAC-1, TAC-2, and TAC-3 patients, respectively.Conclusion:TAC-1 and TAC-2 patients were better candidates for varicocelectomy than TAC-3.Radionuclide scrotal scintigraphy can predict the effect of varicocelectomy objectively and accurately in present study.This method is useful in chosing the proper candidates for varicocelectomy.