Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32445591›Full record

ArticleAndrology2020

Testicular ultrasound score: A new proposal for a scoring system to predict testicular function.

Carlotta Pozza, George Kanakis, Francesco Carlomagno, Andrea Lemma, Riccardo Pofi, Marta Tenuta, Marianna Minnetti, Maria G Tarsitano, Franz Sesti, Donatella Paoli and 4 more

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Andrology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
23citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
5.5field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

23 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 35 citations in OpenAlex.

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  11. Testicular Dysfunction in 47,XXY Boys: When It All Begins. A Semilongitudinal Study.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2023
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Carlotta PozzaDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1147-6114
George KanakisDepartment of Endocrinology, Athens Naval & VA Hospital, Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-3526-8379
Francesco CarlomagnoDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5611-4101
Andrea LemmaDepartment of Obstetrical and Gynaecological Sciences and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Riccardo PofiDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7808-5735
Marta TenutaDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7476-0737
Marianna MinnettiDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9091-2809
Maria G TarsitanoDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3500-0591
Franz SestiDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3850-627X
Donatella PaoliDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9699-8703
Antonella AnzuiniDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Andrea LenziDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7711-0465
Andrea M IsidoriDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9037-5417
Daniele GianfrilliDepartment of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2682-8266
Sapienza University of Rome · ITAthens Naval & Veterans Hospital · GR

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTesticular ultrasound (US) is routinely employed in the evaluation of reproductive and sexual function. However, its use for characteristics other than testicular volume is hampered by a lack of information on the prognostic value of its findings, which to date have only been incorporated in a score proposed by Lenz et al in 1993.

objectivesWe sought to explore whether testicular US examination can predict the quality of spermatogenesis and provide information on testicular endocrine function. MATERIALS AND

methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 6210 testicular US examinations, finally selecting examinations from 2230 unique men. The following variables were considered: bitesticular volume and testicular asymmetry, parenchymal echotexture, echogenicity and presence of microlithiasis, solid lesions and varicocoele. Concurrent fasting hormonal data were available for 1160 men, while 979 had a semen sample available from the same day as the US examination.

resultsWe derived a new US score, termed TU score, that can predict both impaired spermatogenesis (AUC 0.73, sensitivity 72%, specificity 61%, P < .001) and hypogonadism (AUC 0.71, sensitivity 71%, specificity 53%, P < .001) more accurately than the Lenz's score. In a multivariate analysis, a reduced sperm composite index (defined as total spermatozoa × total motility × normal forms) was independently predicted by bitesticular volume and by inhomogeneous echotexture, while hypogonadism was independently predicted also by reduced echogenicity and presence of microlithiasis. DISCUSSION AND

conclusionsWe describe the testicular US characteristics that are independently associated with impaired spermatogenesis and hypogonadism and propose the TU score as a simple screening method for use in subjects referred for testicular US.

Indexed as

UltrasonographyAdultGonadal Steroid HormonesHumansMaleRetrospective StudiesSemen AnalysisSpermatogenesisTestisGonadal Steroid Hormoneshypogonadisminfertilityspermatogenesistesticular endocrine functiontesticular ultrasoundtestosterone

Identifiers

PMID32445591
PMCPMC7497152
OpenAlexW3027787912

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.