Magnetic resonance elastography for assessment of testicular stiffness in patients with varicocele Testis MR elastography

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stiffness and volume of the testes in adult patients with varicocele using Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) and magnetic resonance elastography (MR-E), and to compare the findings to those from the patients with normal contralateral testes and those from healthy controls. Material and Methods: A prospective comparison research with 46 varicocele patients (92 testes) and 46 control patients (92 testes) was ethically authorized. There were 92 healthy control testes in Group III, 40 healthy contralateral testes in Group II, and a total of 52 testes with varicocele in Group I. Group comparisons were made using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and binary comparisons were made using Student's t-test. Using Pearson's correlation test, the relationship between testicular stiffness and volume was investigated. Results: The mean MR-E stiffness values did not significantly differ between the two groups or the three groups (P 0.05). The mean testicular volume varied significantly between groups I and III (P = 0.022). The difference between groups I and II (P = 0.716) and groups II and III (P = 0.074) did not, however, differ significantly. In any group, there was no statistically significant relationship between testicular volume and stiffness. Discussion: Testicular volume or varicocele was not significantly correlated with MR-E readings. The accuracy of MR-E in predicting testicular parenchymal injury requires further research with larger patient groups.