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Ultrasound Imaging in Reproductive Medicine pp 207–227Cite as

Ultrasound in Male Infertility

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Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasonography is commonly utilized in the evaluation and diagnosis of male-factor infertility and functions as an adjunctive method for use with assisted reproductive techniques. In addition to the ability to visualize anatomic detail in real time, enhancements of Doppler, power Doppler, and duplex Doppler provide information on underlying physiologic and pathologic processes.

Methods: A PubMed literature review was performed of indexed articles relating to the use of ultrasonography in the evaluation and treatment of male-factor infertility. Treatment results and outcomes are reported where available.

Results: Scrotal and transrectal ultrasonographies assist in differentiating various etiologies for infertility including infectious, benign, and malignant processes of the epididymis, testicle, prostate, and seminal vesicles. Ultrasonography helps to differentiate between obstructive and nonobstructive oligo-/azoospermia and may identify conditions associated with infertility including renal anomalies and testicular malignancies. Although there is currently minimal data on the use of ultrasonography in sperm extraction procedures, limited reports have suggested potential utility to enhance outcomes at the time of sperm extraction.

Conclusions: Ultrasonography provides significant information for both the initial evaluation and diagnosis of male-factor infertility and may be used concomitantly at the time of surgery for the management of select obstructive etiologies. As ultrasound technology continues to improve, it may potentially play an increasingly central role in the management of the infertile male.

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Abbreviations

CBAVD:

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens

EDO:

Ejaculatory duct obstruction

MAGI:

Male accessory gland infection

SV:

Seminal vesicle

TESE:

Testicular sperm extraction

TRUS:

Transrectal ultrasonography

TURED:

Transurethral resection of ejaculatory duct

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Landon W. Trost MD

  2. Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St., Ste. 800, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    David D. Casalino MD

  3. Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 675 N. Saint Clair Street, Galter Suite 20-150, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Robert E. Brannigan MD

Authors
  1. Landon W. Trost MD
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  2. David D. Casalino MD
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  3. Robert E. Brannigan MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David D. Casalino MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Norfolk, Virginia, USA

    Laurel Stadtmauer

  2. Institute for Human Reproduction, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Ilan Tur-Kaspa

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Trost, L.W., Casalino, D.D., Brannigan, R.E. (2014). Ultrasound in Male Infertility. In: Stadtmauer, L., Tur-Kaspa, I. (eds) Ultrasound Imaging in Reproductive Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9182-8_17

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