Technical aspects of ultrasound diagnostics of varicocele and analysis of European clinical guidelines

Introduction. Varicocele is detected in 15% of healthy men, in 35% of men with primary infertility and in 80% of men with secondary infertility. The main non-invasive method to identify this pathology is ultrasound (US) with Doppler. Мaterials and methods. In this article, we reviewed and discussed the technical aspects of performing US diagnostics of varicocele, based on the clinical guidelines of the European Society for Urogenital Radiology. Results. The algorithm of US examination for the diagnosis of varicocele was analysed. It consists of 24 recommendations, which allows to increase the diagnostic value of US examination, as well as to reduce the frequency of diagnostic mistakes. Conclusions. US examination remains the most widely used imaging method of varicocele diagnostics. The described algorithm of this study may be useful for US diagnostics specialists.