Awato FUJINO¹, Irvin H. HIRSCH², Larry I. LIPSHULTZ³

¹The Department of Urology, School of Medicine Kitasato University, ²The Department of Urology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, ³The Scott Department of Urolosrv, Baylor College of Medicine

キーワード : Transrectal ultrasonography, Azoospermia, Ductal abnormality, Seminal vesicles

Transrectal ultrasonography is an accurate technique for imaging the prostate, seminal vesicles, and adjacent structures. We herein define its role in the evaluation of genital tract abnormalities in 13 azoospermic patients. Using a chair-type radial scanner, the accessory sex organs were evaluated for size, morphology, and possible agenesis. Eighty-five percent had an abnormal seminal vesicle. Bilateral absence of the seminal vesicles were never found. Unilateral absence of the seminal vesicle was found in 6 patients, and all of them had abnormal contralateral seminal vesicle. Thirty-nine percent had abnormal prostatic findings. In all cases the image was clearly delineated, permitting easy measurement of organ size and morphologic determination. Transrectal ultrasonography is a cost-effective and non-invasive adjunct in the evaluation of accessory sex organs.