JUM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Middleton, W. D.
Right arrow Articles by Siegel, C. A.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Middleton, W. D.
Right arrow Articles by Siegel, C. A.
© 2009 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
J Ultrasound Med 28:839-846 • 0278-4297

High-Resolution Sonography of the Normal Extrapelvic Vas Deferens

William D. Middleton, MD, Nirvikar Dahiya, MD, Cathy K. Naughton, MD, Sharlene A. Teefey, MD and Cary A. Siegel, MD

Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri USA (W.D.M., N.D., S.A.T., C.A.S.); and Center for Sexual Health, St Louis, Missouri USA (C.K.N.).

Address correspondence to William D. Middleton, MD, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 S Kingshighway Blvd, St Louis, MO 63110 USA.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of sonographic visualization of the normal extrapelvic vas deferens and to analyze its appearance and dimensions. Methods. Scans of the scrotum and spermatic cords were obtained in 25 fertile volunteers. Identification of the vas deferens was attempted bilaterally in the scrotal, suprascrotal, and prepubic segments in all volunteers. When possible, the total thickness and the diameter of the lumen were measured. Visualization and dimensions were correlated with the body mass index (BMI) and abstinence interval. Results. All segments of the vas deferens were identified bilaterally in all volunteers. In all cases, it appeared as an anechoic or very hypoechoic tubular structure that was noncompressible and contained no detectable blood flow. It was convoluted inferiorly and became straight as it progressed from the scrotum to the suprascrotal and prepubic segments. The lumen was seen in the suprascrotal segment in all of the volunteers except the one with the highest BMI. The total thickness of the vas ranged from 1.5 to 2.7 mm (mean, 1.89 mm). The lumen of the vas ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 mm (mean, 0.43 mm). There was no correlation between the luminal diameter and the abstinence interval. Conclusions. The extrapelvic portion of the vas deferens is reliably visualized sonographically. Its appearance is characteristic and reproducible. The lumen can be measured in almost all cases.

Key Words: infertility • scrotum • vas deferens

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index • MRI, magnetic resonance imaging • 1.5D, 1.5-dimensional

HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2009 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.