Treatment of subclinical varicocele with acupuncture: A case report

Varicocele is a vascular lesion characterized by abnormal dilatation and/or tortuosity of the veins of the pampiniform plexus, which sometimes manifests as chronic, dull pain in the scrotum, testicle or inguinal area. Subclinical varicocele (SCV) is as an early phase in the progression of its clinical analog. Given the lack of relevant studies on treatment strategies, no conclusive answer exists regarding how SCV should be managed. In this case report, a 40-year-old male patient visited our acupuncture outpatient clinic for left-sided scrotal pain and heaviness caused by SCV. After ten sessions of acupuncture treatments (acupuncture was performed at Zhongji (CV3), Guanyuan (CV4), qihai (CV6) and bilateral Guilai (ST29), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), with electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at Qihai (CV6) and Zhongji (CV3) as well as Guilai (ST29) on both sides), the patient was symptom-free. More unexpectedly, ultrasound reexamination showed no obvious abnormalities in bilateral spermatic veins. From this case, we conclude that acupuncture may be an effective alternative therapy for SCV treatment.