A rare case of right-sided varicocele in right renal tumor in the absence of venous thrombosis and IVC compression

Abstract

Background The presence of unilateral right-sided varicocele hints at a serious retroperitoneal disease such as renal cell neoplasm. Such tumors are usually associated with a thrombus in renal vein or spermatic vein. We report a rare presentation of right-sided renal tumor causing right-sided varicocele in the absence of thrombus in renal vein and spermatic vein but due to an anomalous vein draining from the tumor into the spermatic vein as demonstrated by computed tomography angiogram. Case presentation A 54-yr-old hypertensive male presented with unilateral grade 3 right-sided varicocele and no other signs and symptoms. Ultrasound examination of his abdomen showed the presence of a mass lesion in the lower pole of right kidney. Computed tomography confirmed the presence of right renal mass, absence of thrombus in right renal vein or inferior vena cava. The angiographic phase of CT scan showed an anomalous vein from the tumor draining into the pampiniform plexus causing varicocele. Conclusion The presence of right-sided varicocele should raise a suspicion hidden serious pathological retroperitoneal condition, renal malignancy in particular, and should prompt the treating physician to carry out imaging studies of the retroperitoneum and careful study of the angiographic phase of the CT scan can ascertain the pathogenesis of the varicocele.