Testicular Evaluation Using Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) in Patients with Varicocele

Purpose: To assess the possible influence of the presence of varicocele on the quantification of testicular stiffness. Methods: Ultrasound with shear wave elastography (SWE) was performed on 48 consecutive patients (96 testicles) referred following urology consultation for different reasons. A total of 94 testes were studied and distributed in three groups: testes with varicocele (group A, n = 19), contralateral normal testes (group B; n = 13) and control group (group C, n = 62). Age, testicular volume and testicular parenchymal tissue stiffness values of the three groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean age of the patients was 42.1 & PLUSMN; 11.1 years. The main reason for consultation was infertility (64.6%). The mean SWE value was 4 & PLUSMN; 0.4 kPa (kilopascal) in group A, 4 & PLUSMN; 0.5 kPa in group B and 4.2 & PLUSMN; 0.7 kPa in group C or control. The testicular volume was 15.8 & PLUSMN; 3.8 mL in group A, 16 & PLUSMN; 4.3 mL in group B and 16.4 & PLUSMN; 5.9 mL in group C. No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups in terms of age, testicular volume and tissue stiffness values. Conclusion: Tissue stiffness values were higher in our control group (healthy testicles) than in patients with varicocele.