Varicocele

1
Varicocele

2
What Is It?

• A varicocele is a widening of the veins along the
  cord that holds up a man's testicles (spermatic
  cord)
• Similar to varicose veins

3
General Description (don't copy)

• Common cause of low sperm production and
  decreased sperm quality
• Can cause infertility
• Healthy veins allow blood to drain from testicle
  only, but varicoceles allow blood to flow back
• can affect sperm production (possibly because of
  temperature change of the testicle)
• Usually do not cause harm and are diagnosed and
  treated easily

4
Causes

• Valves in the spermatic cord prevent normal blood
  flow
• Back-up of blood which causes swelling
• Varicoceles usually occur in males(duh) form ages
  15-25
• Form slowly
• A sudden development in an older man could
  indicate a kidney tumor
• Usually form on left side

5
Symptoms

• Enlarged, twisted veins in scrotum
• Painless lump on testicle (there can be pain)
• Swelling/bulge in scrotum
• May be NO symptoms
• A doctor may feel the area in an examination to
  diagnose it
• More pronounced when standing

6
Treatment/Prevention

• No specific prevention
• Stay healthy to keep good blood flow
• Treatment
• Usually goes away on its own
• Scrotal support (tighter underwear or a jock
  strap) may be worn to relieve discomfort
• If needed surgery which consists of an incision
  in the lower abdomen and the tying off of
  effected veins
• Varicocele embolization- catheter inserted into
  small hole and is used to place a tube to block
  blood flow in the effected vein

7
(No Transcript)
8
Complications

• Can cause infertility (unable to produce sperm)
• Complications from treatment
• Atrophic testis (decrease in testicle size)
• Blood clot formation
• Infection

9
(No Transcript)
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
Questions?

• ??????????????????????????????????????????????????
  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????
  ?????????????? ???????????????????????????????????
  ?????????????????????????????????????????

13
Review Questions

• 1.) What is a varicocle?
• 2.) For who are they most common?

14
Review Questions

• 1.) What is a varicocle?
• A widening of the veins along the spermatic
  cord.
• 2.) For who are they most common?
• Males ages 15-25.

15

• http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH000226
  3/