Infrared digital thermography of scrotum in early selection of progressive varicocele

a b s t r a c t Varicocele is frequent but correctable cause of male infertility. Varicocelectomy is the most commonly performed operative procedure for varicocele. Majority of varicocele patients do not have fertility problem, therefore surgical correction is not recommended in all prevalent cases. On the other hand, varicocele is a progressive condition in some cases and individual with varicocele is at risk for developing impairment which can ultimately lead to semen deterioration and consequent infertility. Selection of patients with varicocele that will progress and cause infertility is beyond our current diagnostic capabilities. Diagnostic assessment of varicocele depends on physical examination and scrotal ultrasound/doppler. Infrared digital thermography of scrotum is a non-invasive and objective diagnostic method for early varicocele detection by means of temperature measurement on the scrotal skin surface. The criteria for diagnostic use of scrotal thermography were recently presented. We hypothesize that the infrared digital thermography of scrotum could be the cornerstone in detection of varicoceles that tend to progress with impairment of semen quality and will require surgical correction, among all prevalent varicocele cases. Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Introduction Varicocele is a dilatation of pampiniform venous plexus within the spermatic cord. A clinical varicocele is found in about 15% of all adult males Arising problem that requires solution is well-timed selection of men with varicoceles that tends to progress and to impair semen quality. These are progressive deterioration of semen quality (PDSQ) varicoceles. Selected PDSQ varicoceles that will develop infertility would clearly require surgical treatment. Diagnostic proposal for that kind of selection is still absent Infrared digital thermography of scrotum is sensitive noninvasive diagnostic tool for early varicocele detection by means of temperature measurement on the scrotal skin surface. Despite the fact that it is an objective and short diagnostic method, it was sporadically used in clinical practice during past. Lack of complete diagnostic parameters and high cost were considered as the main reasons. Recent study suggested diagnostic criteria for thermography of scrotum for varicocele detection 0306-9877/$ -see front matter

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