| What
is varicocele?
Varicoceles are common,
affecting approximately 10% of men, usually during the second or
third decade of life. Sometimes, these varicoceles cause no
symptoms, but may cause pain or atrophy or fertility
problems.
What is
the cause of varicocele?
The blood flow normally from the scrotal veins to large abdominal
draining veins, typically through the left renal vein on the left
and directly into the aorta on the right. When the valves in
these veins fail, blood flow reverses or not adequate, resulting
in enlarged vessels (veins) in the scrotum (varicocele).
What are
the varicocele symptoms?
In majority of patients, symptoms are mild requiring no treatment.
Aching pain and pressure in the affected part of scrotum is
a common sign of varicocele. Heavy lifting may worsens this
symptom. Varicocele may also be associated with testicular
atrophy, infertility or subfertility.
How
is the diagnosis made?
A large varicocele may make the scrotum look lumpy so it
resembles "a bag of worms". Ultrasound examination can
clearly demonstrate the abnormally enlarged veins in the
scrotum.
What
are the treatment options? Conventional
approach for treatment has been a surgery either open surgery or
laparoscopic surgery; however, in the recent years, a safe and
effective nonsurgical alternative called varicocele
embolization is becoming the treatment of choice for many
patients and their physicians. Varicocele surgery is usually
performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
Occasionally, the surgery is performed with a local anesthetic.
Embolization procedure is performed (by a pediatric interventional
radiologist) in an outpatient setting, with sedation and local
anesthesia only, and requires no hospital stay in majority of
patients.
Advantages
of Varicocele Embolization? Embolization
is as effective as surgery, does not require any surgical incision
in the scrotal area, allows treatment of both sides from a
single venous entry, requires no general anesthesia, less
complications than a surgical approach and requires less recovery
time than surgery. For more
information on varicocele and embolization, click
here.
Who
performs this procedure in the Portland area? Dr.
Konez is currently only pediatric interventionalist in the area, performing
this procedure. Please call (360) 425-5131 for consultation and
scheduling.
Other
Useful Sites:
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