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Testicular varicoceles

Testicular varicoceles. P. Beddy, et al. Clinical Radiology (2005) 60, 1248–1255. Type of study: review, but written as tutorial/editorial Aim: (not mentioned!! review of papers on varicocel Method of search: no methods mentioned. Varicocele.

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Testicular varicoceles

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  1. Testicular varicoceles P. Beddy, et al. Clinical Radiology (2005) 60, 1248–1255

  2. Type of study: review, but written as tutorial/editorial • Aim: (not mentioned!! review of papers on varicocel • Method of search: no methods mentioned

  3. Varicocele • an abnormal venous dilatation in the pampiniform plexus • affects 15% of men • presentation: pain, swelling, sub-fertility • Most asympt

  4. Etiology retrograde flow into internal spermatic vein dilatation/ tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus • Less frequent causes: • compression of renal vein (tumour) • aberrant renal vein • obstructed renal vein

  5. Presentation • L>R (R.sp.v. enters obliquely into IVC: protective?) right side new in older R/O mass??

  6. Diagnosis • clinical: if >3-4 mm (use valsalva) Amelar grading: • Grade 1: only palpable during Valsalva • Grade 2: palpable without the Valsalva • Grade 3: visible on examination

  7. Imaging US • high-freq transducer (at least 7 MHz) • Sensitivity: 98% • Specificity: 100% Hamm et al. (1986): US in 118 patients, 2 mm was used as the lower limit for venous dilatation. • features on grey scale us: • at least 2-3 veins of the pampiniform plexus, • 1 vein diameter >2–3 mm in a supine position evidence: published study of 21 patients with clinically palpable varicoceles(ref: Rifkin et al. The role of diagnostic ultrasonography in varicocele evaluation. J Ultrasound Med 1983).

  8. Diagnosis: Colour doppler • Evaluation in standing position (varicoceles to fill) • Diagnosis: detection of reverse flow in the incompetent vein • Reflux: • permanent (significant for a varicocele) • Intermittent • brief (physiological)

  9. Diagnosis: doppler • sensitivity • 93% (n=14 pts.; Petros et al. 1991) • clinic exam sensitivity: 71%

  10. Diagnosis: venography • Gold standards • normal venogram: • a single testicular vein is seen up to the inguinal ligament and into the spermatic cord • Varicocele: • enlarged int spermatic vein • reflux into abdominal, inguinal, scrotal or pelvic portions of the spermatic vein

  11. Diagnosis: MRI (MRV) • gadolinium-enhanced imaging • delayed imaging in venous • dilated vessels and prominence of the pampiniform plexus • indication • evaluate the presence of obstructing masses • Conventional venography is contraindicated • assessment of recurrent varicoceles.

  12. Treatment • symptomatic • subfertility • percutaneous embolization (choice) • surgical (failed catheterization) • Recurrence rate: similar • randomised, prospective study. Barbalias et al. 1998

  13. Percutaneous embolization • Selective catheterization of the spermatic vein • embolization with a sclerosing agent or a solid coil

  14. Coil: distal: the level of inguinal lig. prox: 2–3 mm of renal vein • all collateral veins occluded

  15. Sclerosing agents • such as sodium tetradecyl sulphate • reflux into pampiniform plexus is prevented by external pressure

  16. Radiological Rx • success rate > 90% • Failure: due to unsuccessful catheterization or anatomical variants

  17. Good • Easy to read • General overview of clinical dx+Rx • Nice pictures with appropriate titles/legends

  18. Bad • No method of review • emphasis on personal practice without research evidence back up

  19. Would you base your practice on this review? No!!!

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