Skip to main content

Varicocele, Pediatric

Adam B. Hittelman, MD, PhD, FACS Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

A varicocele is an abnormal tortuosity and dilation of the testicular veins and the pampiniform venous plexus of the spermatic cord. 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Rare in prepubertal boys, increases w...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Often asymptomatic and incidentally noted on routine physical exam

    • Infertility uncommon issue in adolescent population

    • Associated pain/heaviness/dull ache in 2–11% of cases

  • Laterality

  • Age...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Treatment is not indicated in all children/adolescents with varicocele.

  • Annual ultrasound assessment of testicular volume recommended

    • Potential for interobserver variability fo...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Persistence should be assessed by surveillance ultrasound 6 months after repair.

  • Trans-scrotal US to assess for testicular catch-up growth

  • Semen analysis to see if ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • de Los Reyes T, Locke J, Afshar K. Varicoceles in the pediatric population: diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Can Urol Assoc J.  2017;11(1–2 Suppl 1):S34–S39. [View Abstract ...

CODES

ICD9

456.4 Scrotal varices 

ICD10

I86.1 Scrotal varices 

SNOMED

46871008 scrotal varices (disorder) 

FAQ

  • Q: What are long-term benefits of surgical repair of varicoceles?

  • A: If varicocele is corrected, testicular catch-up growth can occur when performed in adolescents. The risk for infertility is also...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×