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CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology
Published in: CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology 6/2012

01-12-2012 | Review Article

Interventional Radiology of Male Varicocele: Current Status

Authors: Vittorio Iaccarino, Pietro Venetucci

Published in: CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Varicocele is a fairly common condition in male individuals. Although a minor disease, it may cause infertility and testicular pain. Consequently, it has high health and social impact. Here we review the current status of interventional radiology of male varicocele. We describe the radiological anatomy of gonadal veins and the clinical aspects of male varicocele, particularly the physical examination, which includes a new clinical and ultrasound Doppler maneuver. The surgical and radiological treatment options are also described with the focus on retrograde and antegrade sclerotherapy, together with our long experience with these procedures. Last, we compare the outcomes, recurrence and persistence rates, complications, procedure time and cost-effectiveness of each method. It clearly emerges from this analysis that there is a need for randomized multicentre trials designed to compare the various surgical and percutaneous techniques, all of which are aimed at occlusion of the anterior pampiniform plexus.
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Metadata
Title
Interventional Radiology of Male Varicocele: Current Status
Authors
Vittorio Iaccarino
Pietro Venetucci
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 0174-1551
Electronic ISSN: 1432-086X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-012-0350-z

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