[High-resolution realtime sonography of varicoceles]

An attempt has been made to classify varicoceles by means of real time sonography in accordance with the findings on palpation. The maximal diameter of the pampiniform plexus and of individual veins was determined sonographically and compared with the results of palpation in 74 patients with varicoceles. The sonographic findings are more accurate than is palpation. Fifteen subclinical varicoceles were discovered by sonography which could not be detected by palpation. It has been found convenient to classify the lesions in four sonographic stages. Maximal transverse diameter of the pampiniform plexus up to one centimetre is regarded as normal. A diameter of one to two centimetres corresponds to grade I, two to three centimetres corresponds to grade II and greater than three centimetres to grade III.