Book review

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.02.24

Scrotal Thermography in the Evaluation of Surgical Outcome after Varicocele Repair: a Case Report

Krešimir Karlović ; Department of Urology, Dr. Josip Benčević General Hospital, Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Tomislav Kuliš orcid.org/0000-0002-0895-5691 ; Department of Urology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Lukić ; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Osijek University Hospital Center, Osijek, Croatia
Darko Kolarić ; Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Informatics and Computing, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Milas orcid.org/0000-0003-3219-480X ; Department of Urology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Blaženka Miškić ; Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Josip Benčević General Hospital, Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Svetlana Antonini ; Department of Radiology, Zagreb-Centar Health Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Željko Kaštelan ; Department of Urology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Scrotal thermography is a diagnostic method for varicocele. In short, there are five
diagnostic thermographic criteria for varicocele, i.e., pattern of scrotal thermographic image indicative
of varicocele, temperature at pampiniform plexus ≥34 C°, temperature difference between left and
right pampiniform plexus ≥0.5 C°, enhancement of image during Valsalva maneuver, and temperature
at pampiniform plexus ≥ temperature at ipsilateral thigh. Three or more positive signs are indicative of
varicocele. The aim of this report is to present the use of digital thermography as a diagnostic method
to evaluate the outcome of varicocele repair. We present a case of a student diagnosed with varicocele
grade III, and assessed preoperatively and followed up postoperatively by scrotal thermography. According
to thermographic indicators, our patient was positive for varicocele diagnosis before surgical
treatment. Three months after varicocele repair, the patient did not show positive thermographic indicators
of varicocele while physical examination and color Doppler ultrasound were equivocal. This case
report suggests that infrared digital thermography of scrotum could be very valuable for monitoring
patients in the period after surgery for varicocele, however, it should be confirmed in a larger number
of patients.

Keywords

Varicocele; Infertility; Infrared thermography; Scrotal temperature; Varicocele repair

Hrčak ID:

285017

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/285017

Publication date:

1.8.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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