Testicular Size Following Embolization Therapy for Paediatric Left Varicocele

Abstract

Optimal management of varicocele testis in children and adolescents is controversial, but testicular hypotrophy has been suggested as an indication for treatment in adolescents. This report concerns the diagnosis and management of left varicocele in 30 patients aged 6-15 years and the influence of treatment on testicular size. The left testicle was significantly smaller than the right in 14 patients at enrollment in the study. All patients were treated in local anaesthesia with percutaneous transfemoral spermatic venography and embolization of that vein with spring coil, followed by 24-hour observation. There were no major complications. At follow-up 9 to 12 months after the treatment, the size of the left testis had increased in 12 patients. Spring-coil embolization of the spermatic vein proved to be a safe and effective technique for treatment of varicocele.

A morphometric and ultrastructural study of the changes in the lamina propria in adolescents with varicocele

“…From the present results, testicular damage is detectable in adolescent varicocele and can deteriorate with time. The selection of patients is also debatable; from results reported previously, the treatment of adolescents is justified only in patients with a reduced testis, large varicocele or scrotal pain [ 26, 27].…”