Fine needle aspiration biopsy of azoospermic testes - Could it replace histologic biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility of replacing histologic biopsy of az oospermic testes by fine needle aspiration (FNA) for diagnostic and managem ent purposes. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-seven patients were examined under general anesthesia, and 53 testes were biopsied by FNA. Fifty-four testes were biopsied for hi stologic examination. Histology and cytology of each testis were compared t o assess the discrepancy or concordance between the diagnoses. RESULTS: Twenty-seven testes showed complete concordance of cytology and hi stology, and 13 testes showed a mild degree of discrepancy. A severe degree of discrepancy was seen in 13 testes. In the majority of discrepant cases, FNA biopsy diagnosis was move sensitive in detecting evidence of full or a dvanced maturation. In one case of discrepancy, the histologic finding was Sertoli cells only, and cytology revealed focal full maturation. In vitro f ertilization using sperm from this case was successful. CONCLUSION FNA biopsy of testes in azoospermia is a fast, reliable and mini mally traumatic method. The prospects far utilizing FNA biopsy material in assisted and microassisted fertilization are promising.