| Varicocele | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
Cross section showing the pampiniform plexus |
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| ICD-10 | I86.1 |
| ICD-9 | 456.4 |
| DiseasesDB | 13731 |
| MedlinePlus | 001284 |
| eMedicine | radio/739 |
| MeSH | D014646 |
Varicocele (pronounced /ˈværɨkɵsiːl/), also known as varicoscele or varicose seal, is an abnormal enlargement of the vein that is in the scrotum draining the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis. Upward flow of blood in the veins is ensured by small one-way valves that prevent backflow. Defective valves, or compression of the vein by a nearby structure, can cause dilatation of the veins near the testis, leading to the formation of a varicocele.
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Symptoms of a varicocele may include:
The idiopathic varicocele occurs when the valves within the veins along the spermatic cord do not work properly. This is essentially the same process as varicose veins, which are common in the legs. This results in backflow of blood into the pampiniform plexus and causes increased pressures, ultimately leading to permanent damage to the testicular tissue.
Varicoceles develop slowly and may not have any symptoms. They are most frequently diagnosed when a patient is 15–30 years of age, and rarely develop after the age of 40. They occur in 15-20% of all males, and in 40% of infertile males.
98% of idiopathic varicoceles occur on the left side, apparently because the left testicular vein connects to the renal vein (and does so at a 90-degree angle), while the right testicular vein drains at less than 90-degrees directly into the significantly larger inferior vena cava. Isolated right sided varicoceles are rare, and should prompt evaluation for an abdominal/ pelvic mass or a kidney cancer.
A secondary varicocele is due to compression of the venous drainage of the testicle. A pelvic or abdominal malignancy is a definite concern when a right-sided varicocele is newly diagnosed in a patient older than 40 years of age. One non-malignant cause of a secondary varicocele is the so-called "Nutcracker syndrome", a condition in which the superior mesenteric artery compresses the left renal vein, causing increased pressures there to be transmitted retrograde into the left pampiniform plexus.[3] The most common cause is renal cell carcinoma (a.k.a. hypernephroma) followed by retroperitoneal fibrosis or adhesions.
The term varicocele specifically refers to dilatation and tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus, which is the network of veins that drain the testicle. This plexus travels along the posterior portion of the testicle with the epididymis and vas deferens, and then into the spermatic cord. This network of veins coalesces into the gonadal, or testicular, vein. The right gonadal vein drains into the inferior vena cava, while the left gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein at right angle to the renal vein, which then drains into the inferior vena cava.
The small vessels of the pampiniform plexus normally range from 0.5–1.5 mm in diameter. Dilatation of these vessels greater than 2 mm is called a varicocele.
Upon palpation of the scrotum, a non-tender, twisted mass along the spermatic cord is felt. Palpating a varicocele can be likened to feeling a bag of worms.[2] When lying down, gravity may allow the drainage of the pampiniform plexus and thus make the mass not obvious.[2] This is especially true in primary varicocele, and absence may be a sign for clinical concern.[2] The testicle on the side of the varicocele may or may not be smaller compared to the other side.
Varicocele can be reliably diagnosed with ultrasound,[4][5] which will show dilatation of the vessels of the pampiniform plexus to greater than 2 mm. The patient being studied should undergo a provocative maneuver, such as Valsalva's maneuver (straining, like he is trying to have a bowel movement) or standing up during the exam, both of which are designed to increase intra-abdominal venous pressure and increase the dilatation of the veins. Doppler ultrasound is a technique of measuring the speed at which blood is flowing in a vessel. An ultrasound machine that has a Doppler mode can see blood reverse direction in a varicocele with a Valsalva, increasing the sensitivity of the examination.
Recent studies have shown that varicocele is a bilateral disease[6] and the diagnosis of the right side is missed by physical examination and even by ultrasonography. The examination should be performed by Ultrasonography — color flow doppler performed by highly experienced radiologist that will diagnose varicocele by demonstrating back-flow in the right and in the left spermatic veins.[7]
Whether or not a varicocele causes infertility is a contentious issue. The recent Cochrane Database Systematic Review of eight randomised controlled trials on this topic suggests that there may be no improvement in fertility after treating a varicocele. The article implies that even the existence of a reliable causal link between the presence of a varicocele and infertility in males is questionable.[8]
A small prospective study (n=322) however, suggests that varicocele correction aimed at restoring fertility appears to be most appropriate for men whose infertility extends beyond 2 years. These data suggest that varicocele correction at 1 year of infertility does not result in a significantly higher pregnancy rate than that achieved by men with uncorrected varicocele.[9]
Varicocelectomy, the surgical correction of a varicocele, is performed on an outpatient basis.[10] The three most common approaches are inguinal (groin), retroperitoneal (abdominal), and infrainguinal/subinguinal (below the groin). Various other techniques may be used. Ice packs should be kept to the area for the first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling. The patient may be advised to wear a scrotal support for some time after surgery.
Possible complications of this procedure include hematoma (bleeding into tissues), hydrocele (accumulation of fluid around the affected testicle), infection, or injury to the scrotal tissue or structures. In addition, injury to the artery that supplies the testicle may occur.
In the Gat-Goren nonsurgical method for treating varicoceles, performed under local anesthesia, a catheter is inserted through a vein in the upper thigh. Fluid injected through the catheter selectively closes off the malfunctioning veins, thus enabling the testicular tissues to recover and begin to produce normal sperm in normal amounts. The procedure lasts one to two hours and causes almost no discomfort. The patient can return to his regular routine in about 5 days.[11]
An alternative to surgery is embolization,[12] a minimally invasive treatment for varicocele that is performed by an interventional radiologist. This involves passing a small wire through a peripheral vein and into the abdominal veins that drain the testes. Through a small flexible catheter, the doctor can obstruct the veins so that the increased pressures from the abdomen are no longer transmitted to the testicles. The testicles then drain through smaller collateral veins. The recovery period is significantly less than with surgery and the risk of complications is minimised with overall effectiveness similar to surgery, yet with fewer recurrence rates.
Embolization is an effective treatment for post-surgical varicoceles. These are varicoceles that reappear after they have been surgically repaired. The main theory is the presence of redundant gonadal veins that provide collateralization cause the reappearance of the varicoceles. The use of NBCA glues during the embolization is as effective at embolizing these collaterals as coils.[13]
Medical treatment with L-carnitine has some beneficial effect on sperm parameters, but is not as effective as surgery.[14] Micronised purified flavonoid fractions (MPFF) have a beneficial effect on reducing varicocele pain and reducing reflux time of left spermatic vein during the Valsalva maneuver.[15]
Varicocele is usually harmless except in cases of infertility. If surgery is required because of infertility or testicular atrophy, the outcome is usually excellent. Removal of varicocele can lead to normal testicular temperatures and an increased sperm production.[16] An inguinal hernia can sometimes be misdiagnosed as a varicocele by an untrained eye.
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