Percutaneous venography and occlusion in the management of spermatic varicoceles

Abstract

Spermatic venography was performed in 140 patients; the main indications were subfertility and abnormal spermatogenesis. Of these 140 patients, 113 had positive examinations, with 33 of them having bilateral varicoceles. Of 146 total varicoceles demonstrated, 42 were found on the right side; the advantage of using the jugular vein approach in both the diagnosis and percutaneous treatment of these cases is stressed. Of the 146 varicoceles, 128 were successfully occluded using spring coils. Because of the frequency of bilateral subclinical varicoceles, spermatic venography and percutaneous embolization is recommended in all men with subfertility and oligoteratoasthenospermia.