[Percutaneous treatment of varicocele]

Percutaneous occlusion of the spermatic vein has been performed in 104 patients with varicocele in the last five years. We report our long-term results on the first 87 cases with a follow-up of at least six months. The occlusion of the gonadal vein is generally induced by selective transcatheter injection of sclerosing agent. Our patients are always evaluated before and after sclerotherapy by telethermography and/or doppler examination. Furthermore spermiogram is obtained before and six months after therapy. We registered only four recurrences with no major complications.