Ultrasound and infertility: Diagnostic and therapeutic uses

Ultrasound has become essential in the diagnosis and management of the infertile male. Scrotal ultrasonography provides a detailed examination of the testes and assesses the presence or absence of varicoceles and can identify other abnormalities of the scrotal contents and the spermatic cord. Transrectal ultrasonography can “visualize” the excurrent ejaculatory ductal system, including the ejaculatory ducts, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens. The expansion of these ultrasonographic techniques has provided the urologist with non-or minimally invasive techniques with which to evaluate the infertile male. These advancements consequently have led to innovative surgical and radiologic treatments.