The prevalence of varicocele and varicocele-related testicular atrophy in Turkish children and adolescents

Objective To determine the prevalence and site of varicocele and varicocele -related testicular atrophy in children and adolescents. Patients and methods The study included 4052 boys aged of 2-19 years, divid ed into four age groups; the findings of a physical examination, any testic ular atrophy and testicular volume were recorded. Results Varicocele was detected in 293 (7.2%) of the 4052 boys; the prevale nce was 0.79% in those aged 2-6 years, 0.96% at 7-10 years, 7.8% at 11-14 y ears and 14.1% at 15-19 years. The prevalence was 0.92% in 1232 children ag ed 2-10 years and 11.0% in 2531 adolescents aged 11-19 years (P < 0.001). T he prevalence increased significantly at age 13 years (P < 0.005). The vari cocele was unilateral in 263 of the 293 (89.7%) boys with varicocele; of th ese, one (0.38%) was on the right and the others on the left side. Varicoce les were bilateral in 30 of 279 boys (10.8%) aged 11-19 years but none were detected in those aged < 11 years. Varicocele-related testicular atrophy w as not present in those aged < 11 years, but seven boys (7.3%) aged 11-14 y ears and 17 (9.3%) aged 15-19 years had testicular atrophy. The difference in prevalence between the last two age groups with atrophy was not signific ant. Conclusion These findings support the view that varicocele is a progressive disease and that the prevalence of varicocele and testicular atrophy incre ases with the puberty.