Scrotal Varicose Vein, (Varicocele) A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes the Scrotal Varicose Vein (Varicocele), Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

Recently I had a mother who brought her eighteen year son to consult me because he had been complaining of pain at his testicular regions on and off for the last 2 months.

When I examined him I found that he had dilated veins surrounding the spermatic cord holding up his testes on both sides.

His testicles were found to be normal and not tender.

These dilated veins often tortuous are called varicocele (bag of worms) and are formed when valves inside the veins along the spermatic cord prevent blood from flowing properly.

These valves of the veins do not function properly, causing blood to pool enlarging the vein.

As the condition was mild with intermittent pain I advised the boy and his mother to observe for any increase in size of the varicose veins.

I asked the boy not wear his under wears too tight and to place ice pack to reduce the swelling of the varicose veins.

If he is worried about future infertility he should have an analysis of his semen and sperms because varicoceles are associated with low sperm count.

The boy and mother have declined the semen analysis.

A Scrotal Varicose Vein (Varicocele) is the swelling of the veins inside the scrotum.

These veins are evident along the cord that holds up a man's testicles.

A varicocele is a dilatation of the veins along the cord that holds up a man's testicles (spermatic cord or ductus deferens).

A varicocele is an abnormal dilatation of the blocked testicular veins in the pampiniform venous plexus, induced by venous reflux.

A varicocele is a swollen varicose vein of the testicle and scrotum.

In a varicocele, these valves in the vein do not function properly.

Varicocele is a well-recognized cause of impaired testicular function and sperm production and happens in about 15-20% of all males and in 40% of infertile males.

If left untreated, varicoceles may lead to male infertility.

Cause

A varicocele develops when valves inside the veins along the spermatic cord stop blood from flowing properly.

This induces the blood to back up causing swelling and widening of the veins.

This is basically the same process that causes varicose veins which are frequent in the legs.

A varicocele forms when valves inside the veins that run along the spermatic cord stop blood from flowing properly.

Blood stagnates leading to swelling and widening of the veins.

Varicoceles form slowly most of the time.

Varicoceles are much more frequent (80-90%) in the left testicle than in the right due to several anatomic factors such as:
a. The angle at which the left testicular vein enters the left renal vein,
b. The lack of effective anti-reflux valves at the juncture of the testicular vein and renal vein,
c. The higher renal vein pressure due to its compression between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta (i.e., nutcracker effect).

This is occasionally called the Nutcracker syndrome or aorto-left renal vein entrapment syndrome

A one-sided varicocele can often involve the opposite testicle.

Up to 35-40% of men with a palpable left varicocele may really have bilateral varicoceles found upon examination.

In a varicocele, the valves do not function suitably, inducing blood to pool enlarging the vein.

Some doctors believe that the higher temperature resulting from the pooled blood in these blocked veins can reduce sperm count and sperm motility and raise the number of deformed sperm.

Many men with varicocele have sufficient fertility

Varicocele repair is linked with a significant rise in sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology.

40% of infertile men may have varicoceles

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