AboutStephen 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 20 years experience. Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology at the Medical College of Ohio. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only 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.
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.
