Hemodynamics of varicoceles: venous shunting in grade II and III varicoceles

In 42 consecutive patients with moderate (grade II) or large (grade III) left-sided idiopathic varicoceles, which were referred for percutaneous sclerotherapy, not only the reflux in the testicular vein but the venous drainage as well was studied by venography. As suggested by bidirectional Doppler sonography the reflux in the testicular vein is always associated with an upward (in physiologic direction) flow in these varicoceles. The draining veins are shown to be the deferential, cremasteric, external pudendal, or any combination of these. Thus, the grade II and III varicoceles are termed shunt-type varicoceles.