VARICOCELE - INDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT

Varicocele is detected in about one-third of men with subfertile semen quality. Treatment by means of transcatheter embolization using the t issue adhesive Histoacryl improves Sertoli cell function with increase d concentrations of transferrin in semen, and a significant increase i n sperm concentration, normal morphology and linear velocity. Failure to attain pregnancy after varicocele treatment occurs if pre-treatment sperm quality is normal, or in the case of azoospermia with elevated blood FSH levels or obstruction, or when there is severe coincidental pathology impairing fertility of the male or female partner. In all ot her cases, the poor results of varicocele treatment reported in some s tudies can only be explained by inadequate techniques. Varicocele dete ction and embolization treatment at puberty or during adolescence shou ld be advocated to prevent deterioration of testicular function.