To determine whether the varicocele results from collateral circulation partially replacing an obstructed left renal vein, we developed a scintigraphic technique that provides not only information about the velocity of retrograde flow in the testicular veins but also quantitative information about the size of the varicocele. The reliability of this method was assessed by comparison with the results of phlebography and the clinical diagnosis in 104 patients. Furthermore, the diameter of the left testicular vein was determined on the phlebogram. Good correlation was found among the velocity of the retrograde flow in the left testicular vein, the size of the varicocele and the diameter of the left testicular vein.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.