A. Carpi et al., A percutaneous large-needle aspiration biopsy technique for histologic examination of the testis in infertile patients, FERT STERIL, 71(4), 1999, pp. 756-760
Objective: To describe a relatively new percutaneous large-needle aspiratio
n biopsy technique for histologic examination of the testis in infertile pa
tients.
Design: Retrospective analysis of clinical and pathologic data.
Setting: Clinical and academic research environment.
Patient(s): Sixty-six infertile patients who underwent testicular biopsy.
Intervention(s): Local anesthesia was induced through spermatic cord block
with lidocaine, and a relatively large needle (usually 18- or 20-gauge) was
introduced percutaneously into the testicle without a scrotal incision.
Main Outcome Measure(s!: The number of seminiferous tubules per histologic
section of each testicular biopsy sample.
Result(s): A mean of 74 seminiferous tubules were obtained in the histologi
c sections of each biopsy sample. This number varied according to the size
of the needle used; it was 24.7 when a 21-gauge needle was used, 56.2 when
a 20-gauge needle was used, and 103 when an 18-gauge needle was used. The b
iopsies were performed in the office. No significant hematomas occurred, no
antibiotic prophylaxis was prescribed, and no postbiopsy medical or pharma
cologic interventions were required.
Conclusion(s): Tissue specimens as large as those obtained with open surgic
al biopsy can be obtained from the testicles of infertile patients with the
use of a percutaneous technique that is easier, less costly, and safer tha
n any previously reported.