Hemodynamic classification of varicoceles in men: our experience

The aim of this work is to propose a new hemodynamic classification of male varicoceles that can improve the accuracy of staging and the quality of the examination report. We retrospectively analyzed data on outpatients referred to our vascular ultrasonography service by general practitioners or urologists for work-up of "varicoceles." Quantification and characterization of venous reflux is essential for selecting patients who require treatment and for evaluating the latter's effectiveness, as demonstrated by our experience in a subgroup of 58 patients referred for imaging after surgery on endovascular procedures.

We performed scrotal Doppler sonography on 278 males seen during the period 2009-2011 for doubts raised during clinical assessment of varicoceles or for postoperative evaluation of residual reflux.

The diagnosis of varicocele was confirmed on 193 subjects; in 32 patients who had undergone percutaneous or surgical treatment the examination demonstrated the presence of residual reflux, while in 85 cases the presence of pain or a scrotal mass was not associated with venous reflux.

Standardized instrumental criteria have been developed for the diagnosis of varicoceles but not for their staging. The classification system we propose provides a simple, hemodynamically accurate method for qualitatively evaluating venous reflux, and it can be a useful tool for verifying the success of surgical and endovascular procedures for correcting varicoceles.