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Overview
Overview content for Varicocele Embolization is not yet available.
Pre-Procedure
Indications:
Varicocele with pain, testicular atrophy, and/or infertility.
Contraindications:
Competent internal spermatic vein valve.
Non-symptomatic varicocele
Things to check:
Prior imaging- US/MRI
Sudden onset of any varicocele, or an isolated right varicocele should prompt imaging of the retroperitoneum to exclude an abdominal or renal mass.
Procedure
Right femoral or IJ access.
7 Fr. sheath from the groin, or 5 Fr if accessing from the neck.
Cannulate the left renal vein and internal spermatic vein.
Test the internal spermatic vein orifice for reflux under Valsalva with contrast injection.
Advance catheter or microcatheter (to avoid vasospasm) into the distal gonadal vein.
Can occlude the entire vein with coils, or a combination of coils, sotradecol, and/or Amplatzer plugs.
First coils placed at the level of the inguinal canal/superior pubic ramus.
Limit flow of sclerosant into the scrotum to avoid pampiniform plexus phlebitis via manual pressure or distal coil placement.
Post-Procedure
• Technical success in 90-97%
• Recurrence rate 2-12%
Potential complications:
• Left renal vein thrombosis
• Pampiniform plexus thrombophlebitis
• Treatment failure. Symptoms persist.
Related Procedures
No related procedures.
References
[1] Rogers, P., Roberts, A., & Wong, W. (2002). Pocket Radiologist: Interventional Top 100 Diagnoses (1st ed.). AMIRSYS.
[2] Halpern, J., Mittal, S., Pereira, K., Bhatia, S., & Ramasamy, R. (2016). Percutaneous embolization of varicocele: technique, indications, relative contraindications, and complications. Asian Journal of Andrology, 18(2), 234.
