Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences
Varicocele
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Varicocele

Contributors: Casey Silver MD, Benjamin L. Mazer MD, MBA, Michael W. Winter MD, Abhijeet Waghray MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

A varicocele is a usually painless swelling of the scrotum involving dilated spermatic veins (pampiniform plexus) that form a soft scrotal mass, most often on the left side. Thought to be the result of venous pressure, varicoceles are typically asymptomatic but may present with scrotal discomfort and heaviness. Classically, varicoceles are described as a "bag of worms" on palpation.

Rarely occurring in children, onset is typically at puberty and may even be diagnosed incidentally during evaluation for infertility. Varicoceles are common and occur in approximately 15% of adolescent males. When fertility is of concern, or in recurrent varicoceles, treatment may involve surgical ligation, embolization, or transfemoral catheterization and ablation of the spermatic vein.

Codes

ICD10CM:
I86.1 – Scrotal varices

SNOMEDCT:
51070004 – Varicocele

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:01/16/2019
Last Updated:02/12/2019
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Varicocele
Print  
A medical illustration showing key findings of Varicocele : Infertility, Scrotal edema, Testicular discomfort
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.