Varicocele: An overview

Abstract

Varicocele is defined as an abnormal dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord. It is estimated to affect 10–15% of men and adolescent boys. The management of varicocele is likely to prove an increasingly important and challenging aspect of medical practice for urologists and general physicians. Over the last decade, research into pathophysiology of varicoceles has focused on three main areas. These are oxidative stress-related damage, tissue hypoxia- and hormonal imbalances. Oxidative stress in turn may result in damage to sperm membrane and DNA. Patients with varicoceles are typically asymptomatic. If symptomatic, most patients present with changes such as atrophy of the testes, histological changes within the testes, changes in Leydig and Sertoli cell function and their seminal parameters, and endocrine abnormalities. The symptoms are Enlarged, twisted veins in the scrotum, Infertility, Painless testicle lump, scrotal swelling, or bulge within the scrotum. Diagnosis of varicocele is mainly done by sonographic quantitative evaluation of scrotal vein diameters. Varicocele treatment has traditionally involved open surgery, usually performed by a urologic surgeon, or urologist. In recent years, however, a safe and effective nonsurgical alternative called varicocele embolization is becoming the treatment of choice for many patients and their physicians. Our present study is to evaluate the current literature on the varicocele and their possible method of treatment.