A high predictive value of the first testicular fine needle aspiration in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia for sperm recovery at the subsequent attempt

Abstract

Background: The objective of this retrospective study, which included 51 men with non-obstructive azoospermia, was to evaluate the predictive value of the results of the first sperm recovery attempt on the probability for sperm recovery in a second attempt. Methods and results: A positive testicular fine needle aspiration (TEFNA) was defined as the recovery of any number of mature sperm. At the first and second TEFNA attempts, mature sperm were recovered in 33 (64.7%) and 25 (49%) of 51 patients respectively. In 23 of the 33 (69.7%) patients with a positive first TEFNA, sperm were recovered at both attempts, whereas in only two of 18 (11.1%) with a negative first TEFNA, sperm were recovered at the second attempt. Our analysis revealed a high predictive value of the first TEFNA for sperm recovery at the subsequent attempt, with a mean positive predictive value of 69.7%, with the highest probability being 90.9% in hypospermatogenesis, 72.7% in Sertoli cell-only pattern, 75% in tubular hyalinization, and the lowest being 28.6% in maturation arrest. The mean negative predictive value was 88.9%, which was high in all categories (80% in Sertoli cell-only pattern and 100% in maturation arrest and tubular hyalinization). Conclusion: A second TEFNA attempt should be offered to all non-obstructive azoospermic patients with a positive first TEFNA. Patients with a negative first TEFNA may undergo a repeated attempt, but a donor sperm back-up is strongly advised.