PTU - Polskie Towarzystwo Urologiczne
list of articles:

Teletermography in diagnostics of adolescent varicocele. Preliminary report
Article published in Urologia Polska 2007/60/2.

authors

Wojciech Kuzański 1, Adam Olszewski 2, Andrzej Napieralski 2, Jerzy Niedzielski 1
1 Oddział Kliniczny Chirurgii i Urologii Dziecięcej Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny nr 4 w Łodzi
2 Katedra Mikroelektroniki i Technik Informatycznych Politechniki Łódzkiej

keywords

adolescent varicocele, ultrasonography, termography

summary

Introduction. Varicocele can cause impairment of male fertility. We lack diagnostic tools allowing the selection of the group of adolescents with varicocele in which an early surgical intervention would prevent future unfair consequences. That's why all patients with varicocele are qualified for surgery.
The aim of the study. To examine the usefulness of termography in diagnostics of ado-lescent varicocele.
Material and method. Except for routine ultrasound protocol termographic examination of the scrotum was performed before operation in 20 boys, aged 13-16 yrs (mean 14 yrs) treated in the 2005-2006 due to grade III varicocele in the University Children's Hospital No 4 in Lodz.
Results. Statistically significant difference was found in mean temperature of the neck of scrotum (NST) between left and right side. In group 1 DNST was 1,73 0.48°C, and in group 2 - 0.78 0.46°C. Temperature gradient between neck of scrotum and testicle on the left side (left ISTG) in group 1 was 2.47 0,31°C and was statistically significantly higher than in group 2 - 0.48°C. The mean temperature of left and right testicle (ITT) in group 1 was respectively 32.2 1.3°C; 31.8 1.3°C and was lower than in group 2 - re-spectively 34.0 1°C; 33.4 0.7°C. Correlation between temperatures of the neck of scro-tum and testicle and diameter of the pampiniform vein measured in US was not found.
Conclusion. Obtained termographic pictures divided patients in two groups: "cold" varicocele with increased temperature zone limited to the neck of scrotum on the affected side and "hot" varicocele with increased temperature zone embracing affected neck of scrotum and both testicles.

references

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correspondence

Jerzy Niedzielski
Oddział Kliniczny Chirurgii i Urologii Dziecięcej
ul. Sporna 36/50
91-738 Łódź
tel. (042) 617 77 11
jniedzielski@usk4.umed.lodz.pl