Percutaneous sclerotherapy for varicocele embolization

Abstract

Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility and can be treated surgically or by angiographic occlusion of the internal spermatic (testicular) vein. The treatment of clinical as well as subclinical varicoceles has been reported to improve sperm parameters. Varicocele also can cause scrotal pain and discomfort. We treated 89 patients using percutaneous sclerotherapy on an outpatient basis. Our technique proved to be simple and effective and was associated with low morbidity. At follow-up only three failures occurred.