SCROTAL PHLEBOGRAPHY OF THE INTERNAL SPER MATIC VEIN IN LEFTSIDED IDIOPATHIC TESTICULAR VARICOCELE - THE IMPORTANCE OF VESSEL VARIATION FORANTEGRADE SCLEROTHERAPY

Scrotal phlebography was performed on 255 patients with leftsided test icular varicocele. The preparation of a vein embedded in macroscopical ly visible fatty tissue allows for reliable visualization of the inter nal spermatic vein. In 44.7% collateral veins were found, the signific ance of which is discussed in terms of the literature. No venous conne ctions to the iliacal veins, the veins on the contralateral side nor t o the other veins of the spermatic cord, especially the cremasteric ve in, were detected. These phlebographic findings did not show any chang es under valsalva pressure. The presence of proximal or distal collate rals does not provide contraindication for consecutive antegrade scler otherapy.