Testicular needle biopsy in diagnosis of infertility.

Testicular needle biopsies were performed on 10 patients who at the same time underwent open testicular biopsy. The tracts and puncture sites were explored on each of these patients, and an open biopsy was obtained at the puncture site simultaneously. Both needle specimen and open tissue specimen were fixed in Bouin solution and sent for histologic examination. In none of the cases was there found to be bleeding or extrusion of the testis at the puncture site. In one of the needle specimens, however, insufficient tissue was obtained for diagnosis. In the other 19 specimens, diagnostic accuracy was not compromised by the technique. The main differences appear to be fewer tubules obtained by the needle technique as well as decreased preservation of the interstitial tissue. This is a rapid, simple, and inexpensive method for testes biopsy which has proved to be both safe and diagnostically accurate.