[Doppler sonography and phlebography in the detection of hemodynamically different varicocele types]

Using the bidirectional doppler sonography to evaluate patients with varicocele two haemodynamically different types of varicoceles, pressure-type and shunt-type, can be determined. By means of retrograde phlebography of the internal spermatic vein (testicular vein) in 44 patients with varicocele the pathophysiologic-anatomic equivalent of these two types could be demonstrated. Shunting veins are the cremasteric vein and deferential vein. The two types of varicoceles have a different effect on male fertility.