Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy and varicocele

Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is a simple and easy technique for the treatment of varicocele.The success rate varies between87%and95%,The initlal reflux grade and the number of collateral vessels of the spermatic vein are the most important factors to predict the outcome of the technique.The postoperative complica-tion rate is about7%and the common ones are scrotal hematoma and epididymo-orchitis of slight severity.Testicular athrophy is a rare event(0.6%).This technique offers a considerable cost eduction compared to other therapeutic optione currently available for varicocele.     

Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy in the treatment of varicocele: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of our experience in correcting primary varicocele using a modified technique of antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From December 1997 to February 2000, 201 patients with primary varicocele underwent antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy. Before treatment all patients were evaluated by a physical examination, colour Doppler ultrasonography of the spermatic cord, and abdominal and scrotal ultrasonography. Sperm samples were analysed only in patients aged > 18 years. The treatment was administered using a special venous catheter system with a Y-adapter. Complications after treatment and the rate of persistence of reflux were assessed 3 and 6 months after the antegrade scrotal treatment, by clinical examination and colour-Doppler ultrasonography of the spermatic cord. RESULTS: The mean operative duration was 15 min; there were no significant complications during treatment and all patients were discharged within 4 h. Complications after treatment occurred in 10 of the 201 patients (5%); four patients had epididymo-orchitis, three a scrotal haematoma, one a surgical wound infection, one persistent scrotal pain and one persistent flank pain on the same side as the surgery. Reflux was persistent in 12 patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is a simple, minimally invasive and highly effective technique for blocking spermatic vein reflux, with a low rate of complications. The technical changes simplified the cannulation of the spermatic vein and facilitated antegrade phlebography and sclerotherapy using the air-block technique.     

Long-term effects of microsurgical varicocelectomy on pain and sperm parameters in clinical varicocele patients with scrotal pain complaints

We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of microsurgical varicocelectomy on pain improvement and sperm parameters in patients with varicocele-related pain. A total of 72 patients who had undergone microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy because of varicocele with scrotal pain between 2004 and 2009 were included in the study. The patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of pain following surgical treatment. The patients expressing a decrease in frequency and severity of pain or minimal fullness sense were included in the pain-positive group. The mean follow-up period was 54.4 ± 18.06 months. There was left-sided varicocele in 80.3% of patients, while 19.7% had bilateral varicocele. In our study, complete success rate (Visual Analog Scale: 0-1) was found to be 79.2% (57/72), while failure (complete and partial failure) rate was 20.8% (15/72), and a significant difference was found (P < 0.05). Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy is a reliable approach for clinically varicocele patients with scrotal pain complaints. Regardless of the type of pain, varicocelectomy significantly decreases pain. The success of the treatment is not related to the degree of varicocele.     

Sonographic quantitative evaluation of scrotal veins in healthy subjects: normative values and implications for the diagnosis of varicocele

OBJECTIVES: To define the normative values of scrotal vein diameters, investigate the eventual presence and characteristics of scrotal reflux in healthy subjects, and describe its implication for the diagnosis of scrotal varicocele. METHODS: Color-Doppler ultrasonography was performed on a population of 145 healthy, symptomless subjects, with clinical examinations and semen analyses within normal limits. RESULTS: The upper limit of the scrotal veins diameter (3.7-3.8mm) exceeds values presently employed for a diagnosis of varicocele. Furthermore, a high percentage of healthy subjects (53%) were found to have reflux in the scrotal veins, currently considered one of the criteria for diagnosing varicocele, especially in its subclinical form. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the risk of misinterpretations between the various specialists involved in Color-Doppler ultrasonography and urologists, quantitative data of the scrotal veins (i.e., maximum diameter and the presence, velocity, and duration of reflux) should be described in reports of sonographic examinations performed for scrotal varicocele.     

Scrotal temperature and semen quality in men with and without varicocele

The exact role of varicocele in human male infertility remains controversial. Fifty-five male partners of infertile couples randomly selected and 17 fertile semen donors were evaluated for semen quality, scrotal temperature, and presence of varicocele using clinical palpation and Doppler ultrasound. The incidence of varicocele was 42% in male partners of infertile couples and 41% in fertile semen donors. Left scrotal temperature was significantly (p less than .001) higher in infertile males with varicocele as compared to all groups. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm in semen of males with and without varicocele. However, the incidence of tapered, elongated, and immature sperm was significantly higher in the infertile patient population with a varicocele. Measurement of scrotal temperature and assessment of sperm morphology may be used as predictors of the presence and deleterious effect of varicocele.     

不同手术方式治疗精索静脉曲张的疗效比较

目的 比较高选择性精索静脉高位结扎术、经腹股沟管入路精索静脉结扎术和腹腔镜下改良Palomo术3种方法治疗精索静脉曲张的效果. 方法回顾性分析Ⅱ度以上原发性精索静脉曲张患者1075例,685例获随访.根据手术方式分3组:A组为高选择性精索静脉高位结扎术组,369例;B组为经腹股沟管人路精索静脉结扎术组.218例;C组为腹腔镜下改良Palomo术组,98例.对比观察3组术后阴囊水肿,睾丸、局部皮肤疼痛、麻木,睾丸萎缩,复发等远、近期并发症及精液改善和生育情况. 结果 A、B、C 3组复发率分别为3.3%(12/369)、7.3%(16/218)、5.1%(5/98),A、B组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后3个月睾丸萎缩发生率分别为0.5%(2/369)、17.9%(39/218)、9.2%(9/98),3组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后阴囊水肿发生率分别为1.4%(5/369)、17.4%(38/218)、16.3%(16/98),A组与B、C组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).A组≤30岁患者术后3～6个月精液质量提高率和术后1～2年配偶自然怀孕率高于其他2组≤30岁患者(P30岁者(P<0.05). 结论 高选择性精索静脉高位结扎术简单且术后阴囊水肿和睾丸萎缩发生率低,术后精液质量提高率和术后1～2年内配偶自然怀孕率高,值得临床推广.     

Intratesticular varicocele in adolescents: a reversible anechoic lesion of the testis

PURPOSE: We describe ultrasonographic and clinical findings in adolescents with intratesticular varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three adolescent boys 12 to 16 years old each had a large intratesticular multicystic lesion on scrotal Doppler ultrasound for a large extratesticular varicocele. The presence of active Doppler flow within the anechoic lesions supported the diagnosis of intratesticular varicocele. RESULTS: All 3 boys underwent spermatic vein ligation for varicocele. In each case scrotal Doppler ultrasound at 3 months postoperatively demonstrated resolution of the intratesticular anechoic lesions and Doppler flow, confirming the diagnoses of intratesticular varicocele. CONCLUSIONS: Intratesticular varicocele is a clinically occult lesion that may occur in conjunction with extratesticular varicocele. This entity is apparent on scrotal Doppler ultrasound as an intratesticular anechoic lesion with active Doppler flow, and has been shown to resolve following spermatic vein ligation. Its clinical significance has not yet been defined.     

Microsurgical Varicocele Repair on Men with Grade III Lesions and Chronic Dull Scrotal Pain: A Pilot Study

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of microsurgical varicocele repair in patients with grade III lesions and chronic dull scrotal pain.

Materials and Methods

The study was based on 8 patients with grade III left-sided varicocele and chronic dull scrotal pain for whom a microsurgical subinguinal varicocele repair was performed. The 1-year follow-up included pain assessment and scrotal examination.

Results

Of the 8 patients, 7 (88%) reported complete resolution of pain with no palpable varicocele on scrotal examination. No cases of testicular atrophy or hydrocele formation were reported.

Conclusion

These results indicated that microsurgical varicocele repair may benefit patients with grade III lesions and chronic dull scrotal pain.Key Words: Microsurgery, Chronic scrotal pain, Varicocele, Varicocele repair     

Multiparametric evaluation of testicular atrophy due to varicocele

63 men with palpable left varicoceles were evaluated by semen analysis, scrotal ultrasonography, Doppler sonography, scrotal contact thermography, and radionuclide scanning. 11 (17.4%) patients had bilateral varicoceles detected by scrotal ultrasonography as compared with an incidence of 3.1% by scrotal palpation. Testicular atrophy was found in 29 (46%) patients by scrotal ultrasonography. This was found to be 39.6% by scrotal palpation alone. In this study using advanced diagnostic procedures, the incidences of bilateral varicocele and testicular atrophy due to varicocele were found to be much higher than when scrotal palpation alone was performed.     

Varicoceles: the diagnostic dilemma

Clinical examination of the scrotum remains the most commonly used technique to diagnose varicoceles. However, scrotal anatomy (eg, thick scrotum, scarring, hydrocele) in some men may make physical examination alone unreliable. In these situations, imaging (eg, ultrasound, Doppler imaging, venography) may be used to diagnose a varicocele. The dilemma is that there are no widely accepted or used criteria to diagnose a varicocele based on imaging. This paper reviews the different imaging techniques used and the accuracy of each in diagnosing a varicocele.     

放射性核素阴囊血池显像技术诊断精索静脉曲张的临床研究

目的:探讨放射性核素阴囊血池显像(RSI)技术诊断精索静脉曲张(VC)的价值。方法:本组126例有男性不育1年以上病史、精液分析异常的患者分别接受临床体格检查(PE);RSI技术检查,计算两侧阴囊血池指数值(SBPI),并观察是否有精索静脉血液返流;以及彩色双功能多普勒显像(CDFI)检查,对VC进行分型、定度。将PE,RSI结果分别与CDFI结果对比。结果:PE、RSI诊断VC的灵敏度分别为:71.7%、96.5%,特异度分别为:69.1%、97.1%。RSI诊断VC的灵敏度、特异度均高于PE。结论:RSI技术是诊断临床型、亚临床型VC的简单、安全、有效的无创诊断方法,也是一种非侵袭性,更加客观、准确地诊断VC的有效方法。     

Magnified and non magnified subinguinal varicocelectomy in infertile and/or symptomatic men: A comparative study of the outcome

ObjectiveTo compare the outcome of magnified and non magnified varicocelectomy for infertile and/or symptomatic men.Patients and methodsOne hundred and sixteen patients with 2nd and 3rd degree varicocele were treated in a university based hospital between January 2006 and July 2008. Sixty patients were randomly allocated to be operated upon by conventional subinguinal technique and this is the 1st group (9 patients of them with bilateral varicocele). Other 56 patients were operated upon by microsurgical subinguinal technique and this is the 2nd group (11 of them with bilateral varicocele). All patients were followed up at regular intervals, every 3 months for 3 years, 7 patients were lost during follow-up period, all of them with unilateral varicocele (3 patients from 1st group and 4 patients from 2nd group).ResultsSixty-six varicocelectomies in the 1st group were done by conventional subinguinal technique (57 unilateral and 9 bilateral). Their results had been shown; 8 unilateral hydroceles (12.1%), 7 unilateral recurrences (10.7%) and one scrotal hematoma (1.5%). In the 2nd group total varicocelectomies were 63 (52 unilateral and 11 bilateral) had been done by microsurgical subinguinal technique resulting in no hydroceles and no scrotal hematomas but there were two unilateral recurrence (3%). The differences between the two techniques in the incidence of hydrocele formation and varicocele recurrence are significant (P < 0.001) and (P < 0.03) respectively.ConclusionApproaching the testis via a small subinguinal incision gives direct access to all testicular venous drainage. Furthermore, using the operating loupes helps to ease the recognition of the small venous channel, the testicular artery and the lymphatics, thus resulting in significant decrease of the incidence of varicocele recurrence, persistence, hydrocele formation and testicular artery injury. It is considered safe, effective and less morbid method for varicocelectomy.     

Elevation of intratesticular and scrotal skin surface temperature in men with varicocele

A possible mechanism of varicocele-induced infertility is believed to be elevation of testicular temperature. Sensitive needle thermistors were used to measure directly intratesticular and bilateral scrotal surface temperatures simultaneously in anesthetized infertile men with varicocele and control subjects. We found that intratesticular temperature is elevated significantly in humans with varicocele. In addition, we have shown that scrotal skin surface temperature is elevated in men with varicocele. Furthermore, we demonstrate that unilateral varicocele is associated with bilateral elevation of scrotal surface temperature. These findings confirm the results of animal studies revealing elevation of intratesticular temperature associated with varicocele and suggest bilateral elevation in unilateral varicocele.     

Clinical study of varicocele by sequential scrotal scintigraphy: Klinische Analyse mit sequentieller Skrotalszintigraphie der Varikozele

Sequential scrotal scintigraphy was used to study testicular blood flow in 122 patients with clinically diagnosed varicocele. The sensitivity of scrotal scintigraphy was 91.7% on the whole sequential images. The late-phase image was superior in sensitivity to that of the early-phase images. The difference in time between the arrival of radioactivity in the iliac artery and in the pampiniform plexus grew shorter with increasing grade of varicocele. Time-activity curves were classified into four patterns. One type (Type 3), which was more frequently observed in grade II and grade III varicocele than grade I varicocele, showed a decreased arterial perfusion of the left side lesion. It is concluded that scintigraphic analysis using both sequential images and time-activity curves is not only highly representative of the grade of clinically palpable varicocele, but also provides a better understanding of local hemodynamics in the scrotum.     

腹腔镜和显微镜下精索静脉结扎术的比较

目的比较腹腔镜精索静脉高位结扎术和显微镜精索静脉结扎术治疗精索静脉曲张的疗效。方法将66例精索静脉曲张患者分成两组,37例行腹腔镜精索静脉高位结扎术(腹腔镜组),29例行显微镜精索静脉结扎术(显微镜组)。对比两组患者手术所用时间、术中睾丸动脉保护、术后睾丸鞘膜积液的发生、精液质量的改善、复发率。结果两组手术时间、术中睾丸动脉保护、术后鞘膜积液的发生、精液质量的改善、复发率比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论除去手术时间长以外,从安全性及对精液质量的改善方面考虑,显微镜精索静脉结扎术优于腹腔镜精索静脉高位结扎术,值得临床推广。     

Evaluation of varicocele by ultrasonography through a water bag in the supine position

Recently, ultrasonography has been widely used to evaluate varicocele. However, it is difficult to obtain reproducible scrotal images with a hand probe in the standing position. We, therefore, applied the water bag technique during ultrasonographic examination of the scrotal contents in the supine position. The ultrasonographic images thus obtained were compared with physical findings and scrotal scintigraphic findings. Forty-five varicocele patients diagnosed by palpation and ultrasonography were enrolled in this study. An ultrasonographic examination through a water bag in the supine position has the following advantages 1) it is easy to perform and stable images are obtained, 2) varicoceles that are not palpable can be detected and 3) examinations can be repeated both pre- and postoperatively. Of the 45 patients, 39 and 41 had positive findings on the ultrasonographic images and physical examinations, respectively. Four patients had negative findings on physical examination but positive findings on the ultrasonographic images. Thus, ultrasonographic images through a water bag in the supine position proved to be a useful method of confirming the hemodynamics in varicoceles.     

男性不育与阴囊彩色多普勒超声异常

目的评价彩色多普勒超声对男性不育患阴囊检查的临床意义。方法对486例男性不育患行阴囊彩色多普勒超声检查,并将异常发现同临床体格检查进行比较。结果发现阴囊异常192例(39．5％)。其中精索静脉曲张141例(29．0％),附皋囊肿39例(8．0％),皋丸囊肿5例(1．0％),睾丸微小结石4例(0．8％),睾丸肿瘤3例(0．6％),该3例皋丸肿瘤在体格检查时均未触及。结论阴囊超声检查常能发现触诊触不到的阴囊异常,是诊断不育男性阴囊异常有价值的方法。     

Comparison between thermography and venous scintigraphy of the scrotum in the diagnosis of varicocele

Fifty-one consecutive infertile men were examined for the presence of (sub)clinical varicocele with both scrotal thermography and venous radionuclide scintigraphy. Venous scintigraphy with 99^mTC yielded false negative results in about half of the patients suspected of varicocele because of clinical findings and/or abnormal scrotal thermography. Venous scintigraphy cannot serve as an alternative for scrotal thermography for the detection of spermatic venous reflux in varicocele.     

不育男性患者前列腺和阴囊的超声检查

目的:评价不育男性患者行前列腺和阴囊Doppler超声检查的临床意义。方法:总结268例不育男性患者前列腺和阴囊的超声资料,并与临床体检进行对比。结果:268例中182前列腺和(或)阴囊异常(67.9%)。其中,前列腺结石14.9%,前列腺囊肿2.2%,附睾囊肿13.1%,睾丸囊肿0.4%,睾丸内微小结石3.4%,睾丸鞘膜积液3.0%,精索静脉曲张24.3%。与触诊比较,精索静脉曲张的的检出率超声是24.3%,触诊是14.5%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。将患者按精液常规分成无精子症、少精子症和精子密度正常等3组,超声异常率依次为80.5%,75.4%和55.6%,各组间差异亦有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:超声是诊断不育男性前列腺和(或)阴囊异常的重要手段,与临床触诊相比,其结果更为客观、可信。     

Scrotal imaging

Color Doppler ultrasound has been the mainstay for the evaluation of the scrotum in a variety of clinical settings. However, ultrasonography results are not always accurate or conclusive. Despite the high cost and limited availability, magnetic resonance imaging with the dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction technique provides accurate information on morphology as well as blood flow. Infrared scrotal thermography increases accuracy in the diagnosis of varicocele. This article attempts to summarize recent advances in scrotal imaging with regard to testicular and extratesticular disorders.