Adolescent varicocele

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Adolescent varicocele is a common lesion which remains poorly understood. Recent research in pathophysiology and surgical management has shed new light on this increasingly diagnosed clinical entity. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent research demonstrates the potential importance of heat and oxidative stress patterns on testicular dysfunction with varicocele. The importance of testicular volume differentials as a surgical indication have been demonstrated. Surgical innovations have included artery sparing, often with microscopic magnification, and enhanced identification of lymphatics to reduce hydrocele with a laparoscopic approach. SUMMARY: Optimal management of adolescent varicocele is being clarified. A conservative, selective approach based on testicular volume differentials and semen analysis findings seems appropriate. Techniques affording artery and lymphatic sparing should be employed.     

Adolescent varicocele: treatment by antegrade sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:The most effective treatment for adolescent varicocele is still debated, although the same treatment methods used for adults have also been used in children. Since 1991 at the Pediatric Surgery Operative Unit of "S. Camillo" Hospital in Rome a multidisciplinary protocol has been established according to which percutaneous retrograde scleroembolization was suggested as the first therapeutic option. Surgery (retroperitoneal ligation) was reserved for select cases. The author now presents his personal experience with alternative-approach antegrade sclerotherapy. METHODS: Since February 1998, as an alternative to percutaneous retrograde sclerosis and surgical ligation, antegrade sclerotherapy has been performed in 92 varicocele patients, 65 of whom were 11 to 19 years of age. In this group, the indication for treatment was grade III varicocele with spontaneous continual reflux, which worsened with the Valsalva maneuver. Twenty patients had recurrent varicocele after other treatments. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 9 months, the clinical recovery rate was 92.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Antegrade sclerotherapy is an intermediate treatment because of its invasive nature and success rate compared with more commonly used percutaneous retrograde sclerosis and Palomo procedures in adolescents. In particular, this method is highly effective and well-accepted by patients with recurrent varicocele.     

Adolescent varicocele: Tauber antegrade sclerotherapy versus Palomo repair

PURPOSE: There is general agreement on treatment for varicocele in pediatric patients. Randomized prospective studies have shown that anatomical and functional lesions may be corrected. Due to the impossibility of seminal examination patients with moderate to large varicocele or ipsilateral testicular hypertrophy, characterized by a change in testicular consistency or symptoms, should undergo surgical correction. The best therapeutic approach is still under discussion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At 2 centers 2 therapeutic approaches to varicocele treatment in pediatric patients were compared, namely the Palomo repair and antegrade sclerotherapy according to Tauber. The 89 patients from the same geographical area elected 1 procedure after an explanation. From the medical records we retrospectively evaluated operative time, postoperative analgesics, postoperative fever onset, complications, convalescence, recurrence and postoperative hydrocele. RESULTS: After Palomo repair in 45 patients there were 2 recurrences (4.4%) and 2 postoperative hydroceles (4.4%). Of 44 antegrade sclerotherapy cases 1 was converted to Palomo repair, there was no hydrocele formation and recurrence developed in 2 (4.5%). Testicular atrophy was not observed in any patient regardless of the method used. The cost of the procedure was lower in the sclerotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the failure rate was similar in both groups. The principal advantages of sclerotherapy are simplicity, decreased cost and lack of hydrocele formation.     

Penile size and somatometric parameters among Iranian normal adult men

This study aimed to determine the penile size and its correlation with somatometric parameters in physically normal Iranian adult men. To do this, a random sample of 1500 normal men aged between 20 and 40 years underwent tape measurements of penile dimensions in the stretched state under the same condition. The mean total penile length was 11.58+/-1.45 cm, the mean granular length was 3.04+/-0.33 cm and the mean girth was 8.66+/-1.01 cm. Multivariate regression analysis showed that penile dimensions are significantly correlated with age (P=0.018), height (P<0.001) and index finger length (P<0.001). This analysis provided no evidence for significant effect of waist/hip ratio and weight on penile dimensions. As the penile augmentation is still in its experimental stage and its indications have not yet been clearly established, providing standardized data on penile dimensions seems to be necessary to make convenient decisions in the counseling and/or treatment of people with short penis concerns.     

Penile length and somatometric parameters: a study in healthy young Turkish men

The purpose of this study was to determine average penile length and to investigate the relationship between penile length and somatometric parameters in a group of young, healthy Turkish men. A total of 1,132 men were included in the study. The age, height and weight of the subjects were recorded. Penile length was measured in both flaccid and stretched states. The correlation between penile length and somatometric parameters was analysed. The mean age of the subjects was 20.3±0.9 years. The mean penile length in flaccid and stretched states was 9.3±1.3 and 13.7±1.6 cm, respectively (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between flaccid and stretched penile length (r=0.800, P<0.001). The mean testicular volume was 22.0±2.8 cm(3). A weak positive correlation was detected between penile length and mean testicular volume (r=0.143 for flaccid penile length and r=0.140 for stretched penile length, P<0.001 for both). Similarly, weak positive correlations were found between penile length (both flaccid and stretched) and height, weight and body mass index, respectively (P<0.001, for all). These results demonstrate that somatometric parameters are correlated with penile length. We believe that further studies would provide more information about the causal relationship.     

Adolescent varicocele: limited indications for treatment during puberty and adolescence

A varicocele is defined as an abnormal dilatation of the pampiniform plexus of veins of the testis. The vast majority of children and adolescents with varicoceles have no subjective symptoms. The complete work-up of patient diagnosed with a varicocele involves a physical exam in supine and prone position with and without Valsalva, and the use of ultrasound to measure testicular volume and blood flow. Because of growth issues occurring during puberty and adolescence, serial follow-ups may be done to determine any detrimental change in testicular size and symptomatology. The main difference of an adolescent varicocele is the fact that semen parameters are unavailable and do not count for treatment strategy. In this review, the focus is made on a recent study that has evaluated the ultimate endpoint: paternity. It appears that screening and treatment of a varicocele in the adolescent period does not influence the ultimate chance of paternity.     

Penile length–somatometric parameters relationship in healthy Egyptian men

This study aimed to assess the penile length–somatometric parameters relationship in healthy Egyptian men. Two thousand physically normal men (22–40 years) were subjected to measurement of stretched penile length, glans penis, testis size, index finger, weight, height, span, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio. The mean stretched penile length of the studied subjects was 13.84 ± 1.35 cm (range 12–19 cm), and the mean glans penis length was 2.6 ± 0.4 cm (range 1.7–3.8 cm). Penile length demonstrated positive significant correlation with glans penis length, index finger length, BMI and significant negative correlation with waist/hip ratio. On the other hand, penile length demonstrated nonsignificant correlation with age, weight, height, waist circumference, span or testicular size. It is concluded that the penile length‐somatometric parameters relationship in healthy Egyptian men is mostly related to glans penis and index finger lengths.     

Predictive parameters of successful varicocele repair

A total of 130 men presenting with oligospermia and clinically identifiable scrotal varicoceles was evaluated, treated surgically and followed for 1 year for pregnancy rate. The treatment outcome was compared to an age-matched cohort of 83 oligospermic men who had received empirical medical therapy with clomiphene citrate (25 mg. per day) for the same 1-year interval. This study was done to contrast treatment modalities in infertility and not as a strict control. Only eugonadotropic patients in both groups were used for comparison. In the varicocele group the over-all pregnancy rate was 38.5 per cent. Four variables (a lack of testicular atrophy, sperm density greater than 50 million per ejaculate, sperm motility 60 per cent or more and serum follicle-stimulating hormone values less than 300 ng. per ml.) proved to be accurate preoperative predictors of postoperative pregnancy success. Four other variables (varicocele size and laterality, sperm forward progression greater than 2 and normal sperm morphology 60 per cent or more) did not yield statistically significant rates of improvement in pregnancy postoperatively. The pregnancy rate of the eugonadotropic patients undergoing varicocele repair was 45.8 per cent. Despite statistical similarity in patient age, sperm density and mean gonadotropin levels the medically treated patients had a pregnancy rate of only 25.5 per cent, significantly lower than the surgically treated patients. In summary, patients with an identifiable varicocele had a greater chance of achieving a pregnancy following surgical correction than did those treated with empirical drug therapy. In addition, certain preoperative variables in the physical and laboratory analyses appeared to portend a greater surgical response.     

Relationship between penile size and somatometric parameters in 2276 healthy young men

The aim of this study was to determine the average penile length of a group of healthy, young Turkish men, and to investigate the relationship between penile length and somatometric parameters in the same group. The flaccid and stretched length and circumference of the penis was measured in a group of 2276 physically normal, young men. The correlation between penile length and weight, height and body mass index (BMI) of the participants was determined by Pearson's analysis. The mean age of the participants was 21.1 ± 3.1 (18-39) years. The mean flaccid, fully stretched and circumferential length of the participants' penises were 8.95 ± 1.04, 13.98 ± 1.58 and 8.89 ± 0.86 cm, respectively. There was a significant relationship between all of these variables (P<0.01). Although weak positive correlations were found between the mean circumference length and BMI, there were no correlations between both the flaccid and stretched lengths and BMI. The penile length must be known to be able to determine the abnormal penile sizes and to make convenient decisions in the counseling and/or treatment of people with short penis concerns. Our study provides mean penile lengths in a large sample of healthy, young Turkish men, and the penile dimensions were found to be weakly correlated with somatometric parameters.     

ACP1 genetic polymorphism and spermatic parameters in men with varicocele

Platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptors (PDGFRs) play a key role in the regulation of the embryonic and postnatal development of male gonads. PDGF deficiency is associated with severe spermatogenic impairment. ACP₁ is a phosphoprotein tyrosine phosphatase that is able to dephosphorylate PDGFR, decreasing its activity as growth factor. The enzyme is polymorphic and shows strong differences in enzymatic activity among genotypes. At the Outpatient Department for Infertility, University of Rome La Sapienza, we investigated the effect of high‐activity ACP₁ genotype on spermatic parameters in 105 subjects referred to for varicocele. ACP₁ genotype was determined by DNA analysis. In ACP₁ *B/*C genotype, which shows the highest enzymatic activity, spermatic concentration is significantly lower and atypical spermatozoa are significantly more frequent as compared to other ACP₁ genotypes. It is concluded that subjects carrying *B/*C genotype who represent about 10% of the population have a severe impairment of spermatic parameters in the presence of varicocele.     

精索静脉曲张患者双侧睾丸体积差异与精液质量关系的探讨

目的:探讨精索静脉曲张(varicocele,VC)对患者两侧睾丸体积差异的影响及其与精液质量的相关性. 方法:回顾性分析181例VC患者和102例非VC正常生育男性的临床资料,包括VC的程度(Ⅰ～Ⅲ度)和位置(左侧、右侧或双侧),睾丸体积、精液质量分析结果. 结果:181例VC患者中存在睾丸体积差异132例(72.9...     

Semen and reproductive hormone parameters in fertile men with and without varicocele

Although varicoceles are a widely accepted identifiable male factor in infertile couples, the benefit of varicocele repair in improving pregnancy and live birth rates remains uncertain. The Study for Future Families obtained semen and reproductive hormone samples from US men whose partners were currently pregnant. In our analysis cohort of 709 men, a varicocele was detected by clinical examination in 56 (8%) of men. Men with varicocele had smaller left testis, and lower total and total motile sperm counts than men without varicocele. Gonadotropin levels were higher as well in men with varicocele. Interestingly, testosterone levels were also slightly higher in men with varicocele. Despite these differences, there was no difference between the groups in the time to achieve the study pregnancy or percentage of men with a previous pregnancy. We conclude that even in fertile men, varicoceles are associated with some degree of testicular hypofunction. This would support current recommendations to consider varicocele repair in male partners in infertile couples who demonstrate both a varicocele and abnormal semen parameters and after evaluation for treatable female factors.     

Percutaneous therapy of varicocele: effects on semen parameters in young adults

BACKGROUND: In spite of many years of debate, the impact of varicocele on male infertility is still controversial since its pathogenetic role on the impairment of semen quality has never been fully demonstrated. METHODS: In the present work, a series of 426 young adult males undergoing percutaneous treatment of varicocele were studied and semen parameters were evaluated at baseline and 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: A significant increase in sperm cell concentration and a decrease in immotile spermatozoa were found after varicocele repair, but we failed to detect any significant positive change in progressive motility as well in sperm morphology after treatment. Similar results were also obtained when semen parameters were correlated with the degree of varicocele. CONCLUSION: Since a spontaneous improvement in semen quality has been mathematically established as a model of regression toward the mean, we conclude that the correction of varicocele in young adults is not a major indication when semen alteration is the only clinical problem.     

A rare cause of infertility: intratesticular varicocele associated with ipsilateral extratesticular varicocele

Intratesticular varicocele is an uncommon condition with variable sonographic appearence and identified as dilated intratesticular veins lying from the mediastinum through testicular parenchyma. We present a case of a 20‐year‐old male, married and unable to conceive for 2 years. Routine scrotal sonography disclosed extratesticular varicocele which was associated with ipsilateral intratesticular varicocele. Colour Doppler ultrasonography should be the first choice modality of imaging to confirm the diagnosis. Detection of intratesticular varicocele is essential because it is one of the most common recoverable reasons of male infertility.     

Relationship between sperm cell ubiquinone and seminal parameters in subjects with and without varicocele

Summary. In a previous paper it was demonstrated that Coenzyme Q10, a lipidic molecule with important antioxidant properties, is present at remarkable levels in human seminal fluid, and shows a direct correlation with seminal parameters (sperm count and motility). In patients with varicocele, on the contrary, correlation with sperm motility was lacking and a higher proportion of Coenzyme Q10 was found in seminal plasma. In the present study, the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the cell pellet of spermatozoa, obtained after centrifugation of semen, were evaluated. In nonvaricocele subjects it was observed that a higher concentration of Coenzyme Q 10 (expressed as ng of the molecule per million of cells) was present in the spermatozoa of oligospermic and asthenospermic patients (sperm count <20*10⁶ spermatozoa ml⁻¹, sperm motility <40%). This relationship was not observed in varicocele subjects, who also showed slightly lower intracellular absolute values of the coenzyme.
Since Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant molecule involved in the defence of the cell from free radical damage, higher intracellular concentrations may represent a mechanism of protection of the spermatozoa. In varicocele patients, this mechanism could be deficient, leading to higher sensitivity to oxidative damage.     

精索静脉曲张不育患者氧化应激水平和精子DNA完整性及精液参数的相关性分析

目的:分析精索静脉曲张(VC)不育患者氧化应激同DNA完整性及精液参数的关系。方法:采用前瞻性研究,纳入98例患者,根据活性氧水平(ROS)将VC不育患者分为ROS低水平组(54例)及高水平组(44例),分析两组精子DNA碎片指数(DFI)、精子活力、形态等参数的差异,并分析它们之间的相关性。结果:ROS高水平组DFI显著高于ROS低水平组[(34.49±6.05)%vs(27.38±8.10)%,P=0.039]。与ROS低水平组比较,ROS高水平组精子活力[(25.21±18.22)%vs(36.16±22.83)%,P=0.017]、前向运动精子百分率[(16.34±9.22)%vs(23.34±11.53)%,P=0.041]、曲线速率[(20.62±4.38)%vs(27.03±6.21)%,P=0.013]及直线性率[(18.30±7.93)%vs(29.75±8.24)%,P=0.024]均显著降低,而精液白细胞数显著升高[(0.86±0.41)×106/ml vs(0.65±0.15)×106/ml,P=0.022]。Spearman相关性分析表明ROS水平同精液白细胞数(r=0.41,P0.01)及DFI(r=0.21,P=0.006)呈显著正相关,同曲线速率(r=-0.24,P=0.017)、直线性率(r=-0.24,P=0.021)、精子活力(r=-0.31,P=0.002)及前向运动精子百分率(r=-0.41,P=0.012)呈显著负相关。DFI同精子活力(r=-0.29,P0.01)、前向运动精子百分率(r=-0.34,P0.01)呈显著负相关。结论:精浆ROS水平同VC不育患者DFI显著正相关。氧化应激及DNA完整性可影响患者的精子参数。