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Urology (Expert Forum)
Bilateral Varicocele
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Bilateral Varicocele
by osiag, Dec 14, 2005 12:00AM
I am in my late 30s and have been diagnosed with a bilateral varicocele by using a sonogram with a doppler. The varicocele is 4mm on the right side and 5.5 on the left both a valsalva according to the sonogram. I have and entirely normal blood work up and urine analysis at the same time as the sonogram.
Becuase this finding was unsettling to me, the doctor did an abdominal sonogram, which was also completely normal. I asked my GP to do tumor markers. AFP, HCG, CEA, CA19-9. All are normal (very low).
Questions: 1) Is a bilateral varicocele two separate varicoceles or one that can be seen on both sides? 2) I know that a right side varicocele is a red flag, what about a bilateral? 3) Are there any more tests that I should have? What is the usual cause of a bilateral varicocele? 4) Is it unusual for varicoceles to develope in one's 30s?
Becuase this finding was unsettling to me, the doctor did an abdominal sonogram, which was also completely normal. I asked my GP to do tumor markers. AFP, HCG, CEA, CA19-9. All are normal (very low).
Questions: 1) Is a bilateral varicocele two separate varicoceles or one that can be seen on both sides? 2) I know that a right side varicocele is a red flag, what about a bilateral? 3) Are there any more tests that I should have? What is the usual cause of a bilateral varicocele? 4) Is it unusual for varicoceles to develope in one's 30s?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Dec 14, 2005 12:00AM
, Dec 14, 2005 12:00AM
Difficult to say without examining the ultrasound myself.
1) It is likely that a bilateral varicocele is two seperate varicoceles.
2) Bilateral varicoceles are common, occuring in 1/3 of patients with varicoceles. If all the other testing and imaging are negative, it is unlikely that a serious cause is behind the varicocele.
3) One can consider a semen analysis - since uncommonly varicoceles are associated with infertility.
As for the cause of varicoceles, I will quote from UptoDate:
"The left spermatic (gonadal) vein is one of the longest veins in the body, entering the left renal vein at a perpendicular angle. The intravascular pressure in the left renal vein is higher than on the right because it is compressed between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery coming off the aorta above the renal vein, thereby producing a "nutcracker effect." This phenomenon causes increased pressure in the left gonadal vein, which can dilate and cause incompetence of the valve leaflets, leading to retrograde flow of blood toward the testis in the erect position. The venous complex in the scrotum dilates and produces anything from minimal fullness on Valsalva maneuver to a large soft scrotal mass ("bag of worms") that decompresses and disappears in the recumbent position."
4) It is not uncommon for a varicocele to present after the age of 30.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Bibliography:
Eyre. "Evaluation of nonacute scrotal pathology in adults". UptoDate 2005.
1) It is likely that a bilateral varicocele is two seperate varicoceles.
2) Bilateral varicoceles are common, occuring in 1/3 of patients with varicoceles. If all the other testing and imaging are negative, it is unlikely that a serious cause is behind the varicocele.
3) One can consider a semen analysis - since uncommonly varicoceles are associated with infertility.
As for the cause of varicoceles, I will quote from UptoDate:
"The left spermatic (gonadal) vein is one of the longest veins in the body, entering the left renal vein at a perpendicular angle. The intravascular pressure in the left renal vein is higher than on the right because it is compressed between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery coming off the aorta above the renal vein, thereby producing a "nutcracker effect." This phenomenon causes increased pressure in the left gonadal vein, which can dilate and cause incompetence of the valve leaflets, leading to retrograde flow of blood toward the testis in the erect position. The venous complex in the scrotum dilates and produces anything from minimal fullness on Valsalva maneuver to a large soft scrotal mass ("bag of worms") that decompresses and disappears in the recumbent position."
4) It is not uncommon for a varicocele to present after the age of 30.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Bibliography:
Eyre. "Evaluation of nonacute scrotal pathology in adults". UptoDate 2005.
Member Comments
by prakashpc, Mar 27, 2008 05:22AM
A related discussion, bilateral voricacles was started.
by kizle4shizzle, Apr 22, 2008 08:05AM
A related discussion, Bilateral varicocele was started.
by Eng_kimo, Jun 03, 2008 12:33PM
A related discussion, Bilateral varicocele was started.
