Kamil Belej, Martin Hrabec, František Záťura
Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate role of the transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in diagnosis of male infertility. Material and methods: Thirty eight patients with impaired sperm count and suspicion of genital tract obstruction were retrospectively evaluated (years 2001 - 2004) based on WHO diagnostic criteria (low semen volume, decreased or absent seminal fructose and acid pH). All patients underwent TRUS (7.5 MHz) on 2102 Hawk imaging system (BK-Medical, Denmark) with partially filled urinary bladder. Results: In 11 patients an obstruction in ejaculatory duct and prostate was revealed and in another 7 patients obstruction was combined with other pathological findings in semen analysis. The most frequent causes of impaired patency were chronic prostatitis (10 patients) and congenital disorders (8 patients). Congenital disorders diagnosed were as follows: Müllerian duct cyst, ejaculatory duct cyst and seminal vesicle hypoplasia. Endoscope procedure was indicated in 13 cases. Improvement or normalization of sperm count after surgery was found in 10 patients. In four of them successful non-assisted fertilization and pregnancy was achieved within mean follow-up 2, 3 years. Conclusions: TRUS is the integral part of diagnostic algorithm in infertile patients and allows clarifying an etiology of pathological sperm count before more invasive methods (vasography, testicular or epididymal biopsy) are used. Diagnosed disorders can be effectively treated with permanent improvement of male fertility.