Varicocele

Testis and epididymis
Nonneoplastic testicular lesions
Varicocele

Author: Sean Williamson, M.D. (see Authors page)

Revised: 11 April 2017, last major update December 2012

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PubMed Search: varicocele [title]

Table of Contents

Definition / general | Treatment | Microscopic (histologic) description

Cite this page: Varicocele. PathologyOutlines.com website. http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/testisvaricocele.html. Accessed July 15th, 2017.

Definition / general

Abnormal dilation and tortuosity of veins in pampiniform plexus of spermatic cord, probably due to insufficiency of venous valves
Often associated with infertility; after treatment, 40 - 55% are fertile
90% on left; 10% bilateral
Isolated right sided varicocele is associated with situs inversus, venous thrombosis or venous compression from space occupying lesion
Adolescent varicocele: pathologic changes found at or soon after puberty, consisting of tubular sclerosis, premature germ cell sloughing, small vessel sclerosis and variable hypospermatogenesis (Am J Clin Pathol 1988;89:321)

Treatment

Ligation or occlusion of left spermatic vein

Microscopic (histologic) description

Variable thickening of venous wall with fibrosis, decreased spermatogenesis in tubules with germ cell degeneration and increased Leydig cells