Vasography

Vasography with a prostatic cyst and seminal vesicles filled with iodinated contrast

Vasography is an X-ray study of the vas deferens to see if there is blockage, oftentimes in the context of male infertility.[1] An incision is made in the scrotum, contrast is injected in the vas deferens, and X-rays are taken from different angles.[1] Thus, it is an invasive procedure and carries risk of iatrogenic scarring and obstruction of the vas.[2] Vasography has traditionally been considered the gold standard imaging modality for evaluating the seminal tract patency.[3]

To avoid performing an extra operation, vasography is encouraged to be done at the time of correction of the obstruction, and thus should not be done as an isolated outpatient procedure.[2]

  1. ^ a b Diana Raab; Anita Levine-Goldberg (1 June 1999). Getting pregnant & staying pregnant: overcoming infertility and managing your high-risk pregnancy. Hunter House. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-89793-238-7. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  2. ^ a b S. C. Basu (2011). Male Reproductive Dysfunction. JP Medical Ltd. p. 233. ISBN 978-93-5025-220-8.
  3. ^ Donkol, R. H. (2010). "Imaging in male-factor obstructive infertility". World Journal of Radiology. 2 (5): 172–179. doi:10.4329/wjr.v2.i5.172. PMC 2999021. PMID 21161032.