Abstract
Intratesticular varicocele is a rare condition with a variable clinical and ultrasound presentation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the grey scale and color Doppler appearances of intratesticular varicocele (ITV). Herein we present seven new cases of intratesticular varicocele. From 2003 to 2005 we evaluated 342 patients referred to our department for routine andrological evaluation by scrotal color Doppler ultrasound. We detected seven entirely asymptomatic cases of ITV by use of grey scale ultrasound. In color Doppler sonography the patients showed retrograde blood flow, either spontaneously or during Valsalva manoeuvre. In all seven cases left side ITV with testicular volume disproportion between the right and left testis (2 ml) was found. Five patients had an extratesticular varicocele. In all patients the diameters of intratesticular vein were less than 2 mm. Intratesticular varicocele is a clinically occult lesion that may occur in association with extratesticular varicocele. Further investigations are needed to clarify its clinical significance, however, considering the temperature mediated damage on the affected testis, it is our opinion that all ITV must be considered for treatment even if an extratesticular varicocele is not present.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mehta AL, Dogra VS (1998) Intratesticular varicocele. J Clin Ultrasound 26(1):49–51
Diamond DA, Roth JA, Cilento BG, Barnewolt CE (2004) Intratesticular varicocele in adolescents: a reversible anechoic lesion of the testis. J Urol 171(1):381–383
Atasoy C, Fitoz S (2001) Gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic findings in intratesticular varicocele. J Clin Ultrasound 29(7):369–373
Das KM, Prasad K, Szmigielski W, Noorani N (1999) Intratesticular varicocele: evaluation using conventional and Doppler sonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 173(4):1079–1083
Conti E, Fasolo PP, Sebastiani G, Lacquaniti S, Mandras R, Puccetti L, Fasolis G (2005) Color Doppler sonography in the intratesticular varicocele. Arch Ital Urol Androl 77(1):63–65
Kessler A, Meirsdorf S, Graif M, Gottlieb P, Strauss S (2005) Intratesticular varicocele: gray scale and color Doppler sonographic appearance. J Ultrasound Med 24(12):1711–1716
DemIrbas M, Ellergezen A, BIlen CY, Boyvat F (2001) Intratesticular varicocele treated with percutaneous embolization. Urology 58(6):1058
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bucci, S., Liguori, G., Amodeo, A. et al. Intratesticular varicocele: evaluation using grey scale and color Doppler ultrasound. World J Urol 26, 87–89 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-007-0216-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-007-0216-1