Ultrasound evaluation of varicoceles: systematic literature review and rationale of the ESUR-SPIWG Guidelines and Recommendations
Members of the ESUR-SPIWG WG, Michele Bertolotto, Simon Freeman, Jonathan Richenberg, Jane Belfield, Vikram S. Dogra, Dean Y. Huang, Francesco Lotti, Karolina Markiet, Olivera Nikolić, Subramaniyan Ramanathan, Parvati Ramchandani, L. Rocher, Mustafa Seçil, Paul S. Sidhu, Katarzyna Skrobisz, Michał Studniarek, Athina C. Tsili, Ahmet Tuncay Turgut, Pietro Pavlica, Lorenzo E. Derchi
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.