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Varicocele in adolescence induces left and right testicular volume loss
Author(s) -
Kass E.J.,
Stork B.R.,
Steinert B.W.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.2001.00144.x
Subject(s) - varicocele , medicine , testicular volume , urology , abnormality , surgery , infertility , pregnancy , hormone , genetics , psychiatry , biology , secondary sex characteristic
Objective To determine the effect of a palpable left‐sided varicocele (which in adolescent patients can adversely affect left testicular volume) on right testicular volume with progressive Tanner development and increasing varicocele grade. Patients and methods The right and left testicular volumes were measured with a standard orchidometer in 70 control patients (mean age 14.6 years, sd 2.2) with no palpable testicular abnormality and in 434 (mean age 14.3 years, sd 2.3) with a palpable left‐sided varicocele. Patients with bilateral and right‐sided varicoceles were excluded from the study. Results There was no significant difference between the left and right testicular volumes in the control patients. The testicular volumes of patients with a grade I varicocele were similar to those in control patients. Patients with a grade II varicocele had a significantly smaller left testis than the controls at Tanner stages 4 and 5 ( P 0.05). Patients with a grade III varicocele had a significantly smaller left testis than controls at each Tanner stage ( P 0.05) and significantly smaller right testis than controls at Tanner stages 4 and 5 ( P 0.05). Conclusion The presence of a grade I varicocele in adolescence appears to have no effect on normal testicular growth. Some patients with a grade II varicocele are at risk of left testicular volume loss with time and should have their testicular volume measured annually. Patients with grade III varicocele are at risk of bilateral testicular volume loss; a careful evaluation and early surgical intervention are recommended in this group of patients.