[Varicocele and pubertal testicular growth. A prospective study]

We prospectively assessed male students in the 4th and 8th forms to see whether varicoceles affect testicular growth.

Ultrasound measurements were done in 778 boys to define testicular size according to the different pubertal stages. Seven hundred boys had a left or bilateral varicocele; 257 children and 287 adolescents with unilateral varicoceles were assessed for testicular size discrepancies in relationship to the varicocele size and the Doppler grades of venous reflux in the upright and supine positions.

Rapid testicular growth occurred at puberty. By comparing the frequencies and extent of ipsilateral growth failures in adolescents, we noted significant differences among the varicocele grades. A volume loss of >or=15% was associated with the higher varicocele grades and the reflux grades in the supine position.

Varicoceles may impair testicular growth at puberty. The severity of volume loss depends on the varicocele size and the related alterations in circulatory flow.