Pathological Scrotal Ultrasonic Findings in Infertile Men at a Tertiary Hospital in South South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The male factor in infertility is often underplayed especially in Africa however, it is known to contribute significantly to infertility. Various scrotal pathologies have been associated with infertility with ultrasound scan being a safe, cheap and none invasive method of evaluating these pathologies. Aim: The purpose of this study was to detect, by ultrasound the spectrum and frequency of scrotal pathologies in infertile men in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria. Methodology: One hundred infertile men were prospectively examined. All pathologies noted were recorded and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0. Occupation (based on hours spent sitting down) and their relationship with different scrotal pathologies was assessed using Chi square and Fishers exact as appropriate. Results: The age of the study population ranged from 27 – 48 years. Mean age was 38.16 ± 4.7 years. The most common scrotal ultrasound abnormal finding was varicocele (60%). No correlation was found between scrotal pathologies and the number of hours spent sitting down due to occupation. Conclusion: This study found varicocele as the commonest abnormality in infertile men. No correlation between scrotal pathology and occupation was found.