Testicular size following embolization therapy for paediatric left varicocele

Optimal management of varicocele testis in children and adolescents is controversial, but testicular hypotrophy has been suggested as an indication for treatment in adolescents. This report concerns the diagnosis and management of left varicocele in 30 patients aged 6-15 years and the influence of treatment on testicular size. The left testicle was significantly smaller than the right in 14 patients at enrollment in the study. All patients were treated in local anaesthesia with percutaneous transfemoral spermatic venography and embolization of that vein with spring coil, followed by 24-hour observation. There were no major complications. At follow-up 9 to 12 months after the treatment, the size of the left testis had increased in 12 patients. Spring-coil embolization of the spermatic vein proved to be a safe and effective technique for treatment of varicocele.