Varicocele is an abnormal & tortuous dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus of the spermatic cord and is most commonly diagnosed by physical exam, (feeling of a bag of worms) or color duplex Doppler ultrasound (where vein measurement and blood flow patterns are observed). Varicocele rarely becomes clinically evident before early adolescence. Once present, they are not thought to regress. Incidence 15% of all men and 40% of infertility patients are found to have a varicocele.
Approximately 90% are left side sided and 10% are bilateral. Etiology (Cause) There are many theories as to the reason varicocele occur: 1) The left internal spermatic vein is 8-10 centimeters longer than the right and acts as a hydrostatic column with increased pressure in the upright position. 2) There are 40% fewer valves in the left spermatic veins as compared with 23% fewer on the right. 3)…
