Potential role of imaging in assessing harmful effects on spermatogenesis in adult testes with varicocele

Figure 1 A 24-year-old man with bilateral varicocele. A: Gray-scale sonographic images, longitudinal sections at the supratesticular region of the left hemiscrotum at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver. The maximal diameter of the left spermatic veins is 2.5 mm at rest and 3.5 mm during the Valsalva maneuver; B: Color Doppler sonographic images, longitudinal sections same level show blood flow reversal after Valsalva maneuver; C: Gray-scale sonographic images, longitudinal sections at the right supratesticular region. The maximal diameter of the right spermatic veins is 2.3 mm at rest and 2.8 mm during the Valsalva maneuver; D: Color Doppler sonographic images, longitudinal sections show flow reversal with Valsalva maneuver.

Figure 2 A 36-year-old man with left varicocele. Color Doppler sonographic images, longitudinal sections at the level of the upper (A) and lower pole (B) of the left testis depict blow flow reversal seen during the Valsalva maneuver.