INFRARED THERMOMETRY FOR RAPID, NONINVASIVE DETECTION OF REFLUX OF SPERMATIC VEIN IN VARICOCELE

Purpose: We evaluated infrared thermometry for measurement of reflux o f blood via the internal spermatic vein. Materials and Methods: The ch ange in scrotal temperature in patients with varicoceles and controls with different positions was measured with an infrared thermometer. Re sults: Scrotal neck temperature in the patients increased during Valsa lva's maneuver with upright position (mean plus or minus standard devi ation 34.62 +/- 1.20 to 36.05 +/- 1.42C), while no statistically signi ficant increase occurred in the controls (32.91 +/- 0.92 to 33.42 +/- 1.15C). Two weeks after high ligation of the internal spermatic vein t he scrotal temperature in the patients decreased to the same level (0. 59 +/- 0.84C) as in the controls, Using this method 2 subclinical vari coceles were also found on the right side in patients with a left vari cocele. Conclusions: Infrared thermometry is noninvasive, rapid and si mple for documenting varicoceles, including subclinical disease.