Ultrasound evaluation of varicoceles: systematic literature review and rationale of the ESUR-SPIWG Guidelines and Recommendations

Bertolotto, Michele; Freeman, Simon; Richenberg, Jonathan; Belfield, Jane; Dogra, Vikram; Huang, Dean; Lotti, Francesco; Markiet, Karolina; Nikolic, Olivera; Ramanathan, Subramaniyan; Ramchandani, Parvati; Rocher, Laurence; SEÇİL, MUSTAFA; Sidhu, Paul; Skrobisz, Katarzyna; Studniarek, Michal; Tsili, Athina; Turgut, Ahmet; Pavlica, Pietro; Derchi, Lorenzo

doi:10.1007/s40477-020-00509-z

Ultrasound evaluation of varicoceles: systematic literature review and rationale of the ESUR-SPIWG Guidelines and Recommendations

Bertolotto M., Freeman S., Richenberg J., Belfield J., Dogra V., Huang D. Y., ...More

JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND, vol.23, no.4, pp.487-507, 2020 (ESCI, Scopus)

Publication Type: Article / Review
Volume: 23 Issue: 4
Publication Date: 2020
Doi Number: 10.1007/s40477-020-00509-z
Journal Name: JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND
Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
Page Numbers: pp.487-507
Keywords: Varicocele, Infertility, US, Doppler studies
Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Although often asymptomatic and detected incidentally, varicocele is a relatively common problem in patients who seek medical attention for infertility problems. Ultrasound (US) is the imaging modality of choice for evaluation, but there is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria, classification, and examination technique. In view of this uncertainty, the Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR-SPIWG) undertook a systematic review of the available literature on this topic, to use as the basis for evidence-based guidelines and recommendations. This paper provides the results of the systematic review on which guidelines were constructed.