Phlebography in Varicocele Scroti

Abstract

The veins of the spermatic cord are abnormally wide and tortuous in both primary and secondary varicocele. The primary form is by far the more common; among the causes of secondary varicocele are renal tumor (SPITTEL et coIl. 1959), hydronephrosis (WHITE 1914), aberrant renal artery (CAMPBELL 1944), and arching of the spermatic artery over the renal vein (NOTKOVICH 1955). The pathogenesis of primary variococele has not been clarified. BRODNY et coIl. (1955) stated that it most often starts at puberty and occurs in about 10 % of the male population, on the left side in about 90 %, bilaterally in 8 % and on the right side in 2 % of these. The clinical importance and treatment of the condition as well as the pathogenesis are dealt with in another report by the present authors (FRITjOFSSON et coll.).The scrotal veins may be considered as lying in two groups: a deep group and a surface network group (JAVERT & CLARK 1944). The deep system comprises the pampiniform plexus, the internal and external spermatic veins and the ductus deferens veins. The pampiniform plexus consists of a network of veins which originate in the testis and epididymis; it is drained by the three aforementioned larger vessels. The internal spermatic vein passes through the

Testosterone and Testosterone Precursors in the Spermatic Vein and in the Testicular Tissue of Old Men

“…We found no difference between young and old patients as far as testosterone is concerned, although the old patients had much lower testosterone in the peripheral plasma. This discrepancy might be explained by the venographic observations of Ahlberg et al (1966) and of Charny and Baum (1968), who described a reflux of venous blood from the renal into the spermatic vein de formed by varicocele. We assume, therefore, that the blood in the tightly filled spermatic vein in patients with varicocele is more or less diluted by peripheral blood.…”

Influence of surgically induced varicocele on testicular blood flow, temperature, and histology in adult rats and dogs.

“…The cause of the increased venous tension is unknown, but has been ascribed to the absence or incompetence of valves, and/or arterial compression of the renal vein (14,15 Group II rats, partial vein ligation. Six animals were anesthetized using sodium pentobarbital 50 mg/kg i.p.…”

Percutaneous Treatment of Varicocele

“…Spermatic venography for varicocele diagnosis was first described by Ahlberg et al [18] in 1966. A routine preoperative phlebographic study of the varicocele by selective catheterization of the left spermatic vein has been advocated by several authors [19].…”