The prevalence of varicocele and varicocele‐related testicular atrophy in Turkish children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence and site of varicocele and varicocele-related testicular atrophy in children and adolescents. Patients and methods The study included 4052 boys aged of 2±19 years, divided into four age groups; the ®ndings of a physical examination, any testicular atrophy and testicular volume were recorded. Results Varicocele was detected in 293 (7.2%) of the 4052 boys; the prevalence was 0.79% in those aged 2±6 years, 0.96% at 7±10 years, 7.8% at 11±14 years and 14.1% at 15±19 years. The prevalence was 0.92% in 1232 children aged 2±10 years and 11.0% in 2531 adolescents aged 11±19 years (P<0.001). The prevalence increased signi®cantly at age 13 years (P<0.005). The varicocele was unilateral in 263 of the 293 (89.7%) boys with varicocele; of these, one (0.38%) was on the right and the others on the left side. Varicoceles were bilateral in 30 of 279 boys (10.8%) aged 11±19 years but none were detected in those aged <11 years. Varicocelerelated testicular atrophy was not present in those aged <11 years, but seven boys (7.3%) aged 11±14 years and 17 (9.3%) aged 15±19 years had testicular atrophy. The difference in prevalence between the last two age groups with atrophy was not signi®cant. Conclusion These ®ndings support the view that varicocele is a progressive disease and that the prevalence of varicocele and testicular atrophy increases with the puberty.

Common urological problems in children: inguinoscrotal pathologies

“…56 It appears in adolescent boys, with 7.8% in boys aged 11 to 14 years and 14.1% aged 15 to 19 years. 57 …”

Engaging Practicing Gynecologists in the Management of Infertile Men

“…It is identified in 7 and 10-25 % of prepubertal and postpubertal males, respectively [89,90]. Higher prevalence in elderly males and in men with secondary MFI suggests it to be a progressive disease [91,92].…”

Update on the novel management and future paternity situation in adolescents with varicocele

“…[2,3] Varicocele-related testicular hypotrophy can be seen in 7.3%, and 9.3% of the boys with varicocele aged 11-14, and 15-19 years, respectively while this pathology is not present in individuals aged under 11 years. [2] In a meta-analysis, including 20 studies, it has been indicated that the presence of varicocele in youth negatively affects sperm density, motility and morphology, and treatment appears to result in moderate improvement in sperm density and mild improvement in sperm motility. [4] The incidence of bilateral varicoceles has been reportedly higher in the recentpapers than in the previous studies in the literature.…”