You are here:

Urology/ultrasound test

Advertisement

Expert: Stephen W. Leslie, MD - 11/8/2009


Question
hi

i was recently examined by a urologist, who indicated that i had a second degree varicoceles on the left side after he made the examination while i was standing up right and suggested surgery to repair in order to improve the sperm count.  My question is, is this type of examination accurate, he didn't use an ultra sound machine.  the reason i am asking is because i just found out about the use of ultra sound to detect this condition, should i be skeptical of his conclusion..

Answer
Jason:

Usually, ultrasound is used to detect varicoceles that are not large enough to be detected manually.  If the urologist was able to detect them with his physical examination, that is usually sufficient if you trust him.  If you don't, then get a second opinion as you shouldn't have surgery done by someone you don't trust.

Urology

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Stephen W. Leslie, MD

Expertise

Questions concerning erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and prostate disorders including prostate cancer. I have a special interest in kidney stone disease prevention.

Experience

Full time practicing urologist with 30 years experience. Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Urology at Creighton University Medical Center. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only NIH approved book written for patients by a urologist on the subject of kidney stones "The Kidney Stones Handbook". Inventor of the "Parachute" and "Escape" kidney stone baskets and the "Calculus" stone prevention analysis computer program.

Organizations
American Urological Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Sexual Medicine Society

Publications
Men's Health, Journal of Urology, Urology, Healthwatch Magazine, Emergency Medicine Monthly, eMedicine, "The Kidney Stones Handbook", and numerous articles in various newspapers. He is also the editor of the Urology Board Review by McGraw-Hill used by urologists to study for their Board Certification Examinations.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of New York Medical College with residencies completed at Metropolitan Hospital New York, Albany Medical Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Awards and Honors
Thirlby Award of the American Urological Association. Rated as one the country's Best Urologists by the Independent Consumer's Research Institute

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.