Varicocele Embolization Non-Surgical Procedure

What are Varicoceles?

Swollen, twisted veins of the testicle and scrotum are called varicoceles. 

Varicoceles form when blood backs up in the veins that feed the testicles due to incompetent valves. When this happens, the blood pools within the veins causing them to swell and twist. Varicoceles are sometimes described as looking like a bag of worms.

Varicolceles:

• Is a common condition, affecting about 10% of males
• Usually occur during puberty
• Most often occur in left testicle
• Cause infertility

Although sometimes there are no symptoms, Varicolceles can produce pain or a dull ache in the scrotal area. Pain worsens when sitting, standing, or doing physical exercise for long periods and is relieved by lying down.

How varicoceles embolization works

Many conditions that once required surgery can now be treated with interventional radiology (IR). Varicoceles embolization is such an IR treatment and is minimally invasive. When compared to open surgery, minimally invasive treatments result in:

• Less risk of complications
• Less pain
• Faster recovery

Embolization of the defective vein is a fast and effective treatment for varicoceles. Doing so seals off the affected vein and redirects blood flow into healthy veins. 

Varicoceles embolization is performed in an outpatient setting at our Mount Prospect IR Center. 

• Your doctor makes tiny incision in the groin and a catheter tube is inserted.
• The doctor guides the tube to the affected area.
• Contrast may be injected to locate the defective vein.
• A small coil or a liquid is injected into the defective vein. This closes off the vein and diverts blood flow to healthy veins.
• The catheter tube is removed, and a bandage is placed over the incision.