Varicocele in Paediatric Age: Comparison between Testicular Size Measured by Ultrasound,Prader Orchimeter and Sliding Calibre

Abstract

Varicocele in paediatric age requires a different clinical management from that in adults. Because of the lack of seminal data, the accurate evaluation of the testicular size is of great value in the clinical approach and in the follow-up of varicocele in the child. The Authors present their experience, refering to 57 children with left idiopathic varicocele, in which the testicular size was measured by three different means: Prader's orchimeter, sliding calibre and scrotal ultrasound. The measurements were carried out by the same surgeons and radiologists. No significant differences were observed between the measurements obtained by the use of the different means. The data were compared by Fisher's statistical test. In conclusion the sliding calibre and the orchimeter are accurate enough methods, and very cheap. The ultrasound is more accurate in the evaluation of testicular size and is the method employed in the presence of other testicular and scrotal diseases.