6. Varicocele Flashcards
Varicocele
- Definition
- Note
- Etiology
Definition of Varicocele
Elongation, dilatation and tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus of veins or the cremasteric veins, Internal and external spermatic veins
Note on Varicocele
The testicular vein has no valves & the pampiniform plexus has few inefficient valves
Etiology of Varicocele
- Primary Varicocele
2. Secondary Varicocele
Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- INCIDENCE
- AGE
- ETIOLOGY
- SIDE AFFECTED
- CLINICAL PICTURE
- COMPLICATIONS
- INVESTIGATIONS
- TREATMENT
INCIDENCE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Its percent in males is about 20%
AGE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
usually affects young adults (15-30 years).
ETIOLOGY of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Its exact cause is not known
- but may be due to congenital weakness of venous walls
- which may be due to familial weakness of mesenchymal tissue
- Associated with hernia, varicose veins, and flat feet
SIDE AFFECTED in Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Primary Varicocele almost always affects the left side
Pathogenesis of Left side affection in SIDE AFFECTED in Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- The right angled termination of the left spermatic vein into the left renal vein, impedes the venous return, in contrast to the oblique termination of the
right vein into the IVC. - The left renal vein passes anterior to the aorta & posterior to the superior mesenteric artery (nutcracker action).
- Ineffective anti-reflux valves at the junction of the testicular vein and renal vein
- The lower position of the left testes & the higher position of the left kidney
- Compression of the left testicular vein by the heavily loaded pelvic colon
CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Symptoms
* Examination
Symptoms in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Usually, the condition is asymptomatic.
- Dragging pain
- The patient may complain of infertility.
- Complications may be the 1st presentation
Main symptom in Symptoms in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
The condition is asymptomatic.
Dragging pain in Symptoms in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- what Increase
- what Decrease
- Pathogenesis
what Increase Dragging pain in Symptoms in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- prolonged standing
* hot weather
what Decrease Dragging pain in Symptoms in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
relieved by lying down and during sleep
Pathogenesis of Dragging pain in Symptoms in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Due to over relaxation of cremasteric and dartos muscles to inc. heat loss as the venous congestion inc. temp
Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- INSPECTION
- PALPATION
- Examine the abdomen to exclude 2ry varicocele.
- GRADING OF VARICOCELE
INSPECTION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Large varicoceles are also visible.
2. The affected side of the scrotum hangs lower than normal.
PALPATION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Scrotal neck test
- A bag of worms
- Differentiate between 1ry and 2ry varicocele
- Associated pathology
Scrotal neck test in PALPATION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Normal Finding
* Abnormal Finding indicating Varicocele
Normal Finding in Scrotal neck test in PALPATION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Normally only the vas is felt
Abnormal Finding indicating Varicocele in Scrotal neck test in PALPATION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
inguino-scrotal swelling giving a thrill on cough.
A bag of worms in PALPATION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
On standing there are dilated, elongated & tortuous veins felt above the testis like “a bag of worms”.
Differentiate between 1ry and 2ry varicocele in PALPATION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Primary varicocele empties
* while the patient is lying down and the scrotum is elevated
* by the bow test - Examine the abdomen to exclude 2ry varicocele.
Associated pathology in PALPATION in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
There is often a small 2ry hydrocele.
GRADING OF VARICOCELE in Examination in CLINICAL PICTURE of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Grade 0 Varicocele detected by duplex only.
- Grade 1 Varicocele detected by straining.
- Grade 2 Varicocele detected by palpation.
- Grade 3 Varicocele detected by inspection
COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- subfertility
- Recurrent attacks of thrombophlebitis
- 2ry vaginal hydrocele.
- Anxiety neurosis
- Testicular atrophy (rare)
Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Incidence
- Pathology
- Etiology
Incidence of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
15%
Pathology of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
asthenospermia mainly, then oligospermia
Etiology of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Thermal theory
- Toxic theory
- Hypoxic theory
- Note
Thermal theory in Etiology of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Warmth from venous congestion affects spermatogenesis
Toxic theory in Etiology of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Metabolic substances of steroids & catecholamines are toxic and potentially spermatogenic inhibitors reach the left testicular vein at a higher levels.
Hypoxic theory in Etiology of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Venous stasis causes hypoxia & lactic acidosis affecting spermatogenesis.
Note on Etiology of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Subfertility occurs even if the condition is unilateral
The reason why Subfertility occurs even if the condition is unilateral in Note on Etiology of Subfertility in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
due to presence of intercommunicating veins between both testicular veins in the abdomen.
Recurrent attacks of thrombophlebitis in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
- Etiology
* Clinical Picture
Etiology of Recurrent attacks of thrombophlebitis in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Due to Accumulation of metabolites
Clinical Picture of Recurrent attacks of thrombophlebitis in COMPLICATIONS of Primary Varicocele in Etiology of Varicocele
Stitching pain