ULTRASOUND IN THE ETIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF MALE INFERTILITY: ABOUT 300 CASES AT THE FERTILIA MEDICAL CLINIC IN BAMAKO

Objectives: To describe ultrasound lesions that may explain male-type infertility. Subjects And Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 300 men collected between March 2019 and March 2022 at the Fertilia medical clinic in Bamako. The study population consisted of consenting male subjects presenting for infertility. All our patients had already undergone a spermogram, they then underwent endorectal and/or suprapubic ultrasound. Results: 300 patients were recruited in our study. The mean age was 37 years, with extremes ranging from 25 to 62 years. 136 patients (45.33%) were aged between 35 and 40. 216 patients (72%) had primary infertility. 267 patients (89%) had a sperm abnormality. 288 patients (96%) had ultrasound abnormalities. The most common pathologies were varicocele (91.66%), prostatic calcifications (3.47%), testicular calcifications (1.38%), seminal vesiculitis (1. 04%), ejaculatory duct calcifications (0.69%), unilateral cryptorchidism (0.69%), differential agenesis (0.69%), anorchidism (0.69%), epididymitis (0.69%). Conclusion:The pressing challenge in the face of male infertility is to establish an etiology in order to satisfy the couples desire to procreate. The spermogram is essential to determine the origin of the infertility, whether male or female. Ultrasound is the technique of choice for diagnosing infertility of testicular or prostato-seminal origin, and must be meticulous and well performed.