[Application value of scrotal ultrasonography in the etiological diagnosis of azoospermia].

Objective: To evaluate the application of scrotal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the causes of azoospermia.

Methods: We performed scrotal ultrasonography for 96 patients with azoospermia, and analyzed the ultrasonographic images in comparison with the results of the final diagnosis.

Results: Based on the characteristics of the ultrasonographic images, 35 of the cases were diagnosed as obstructive azoospermia and the other 61 as non-obstructive azoospermia, with an accuracy rate of 97.0%. The causes and sites of the lesions were manifested in 44.4% of the obstructive and 46.7% of the non-obstructive cases, with accuracy rates of 100% and 75.0%, respectively. As for the rest of the cases, scrotal ultrasonography helped narrow the scope of further examinations by giving directional indications.

Conclusion: Scrotal ultrasonography is an essential means for the diagnosis of the causes of azoospermia, or for obtaining directional indications of its causes.