Role of Interventional Radiology in Treatment of Varicocele.

Abstract

Varicocele is dilatation of the pampiniform plexus of veins in the scrotum. It is present in 30% of the infertile men and is believed to be the most common correctable cause of male infertility. The cause of varicocele is not exactly known but several theories has been suggested to the pathogenesis of varicocele, the most common being incompetent valves in the internal spermatic vein, other causes include obstruction of venous drainage, retrograde filling of the ISV through collaterals. Varicocele is more common on the left side owing to the longer left internal spermatic vein and the proximal and distal nutcracker effects. Varicocele presents as dragging scrotal pain and heaviness felt in the ipsilateral side that increase on prolonged standing,