Varicocele

Varicocele
is a common cause of Male Infertility--- A condition where the veins of the
spermatic cord in the scrotum become abnormally dilated and tortuous
How common?
Varicocele
is the commonest cause of low sperm count with poor motility (oligo-astheno-zoospermia)
15% of general Male population
40% of men evaluated for primary infertility and
Fifty percent of men evaluated for secondary
infertility have Varicocele
Varicocele
is in fact the most common identifiable and surgically correctable factor contributing
to poor Testicular function and decreased sperm count
How is it diagnosed?
A)
Clinical
Examination: The doctor examines the patient in the
standing posture and feels the spermatic cord- the cord like structure-from
which the Testes hangs. Varicocele feels like a bunch of worms in a bag. On
coughing the feel gets transiently exaggerated.
B)
Colour
Doppler Sonography: It is a objective method of detecting and
documenting a Varicocele

Grades of Varicocele:
Grade III or
Large: On inspection
one can see the “bag of worms”
Grade II or
Moderate: On palpation
without coughing one can feel the “bag of worms”
Grade I or
Small: Only on coughing one can feel
the “bag of worms”
Subclinical
Varicocele: Detected only by
Colour Doppler
|