Preoperative 'dynamic' antegrade phlebography of the spermatic vein: physiological detection of spontaneous reflux in clinical and subclinical varicocele. A study of 142 patients

From March 1977 to December 1982, 142 patients with varicocele of various sizes underwent preoperative antegrade or retrograde phlebography of the left spermatic vein. In 8 of them both procedures were carried out. A retrospective analysis of 68 preoperative antegrade venographies in supine (0 degre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inDiagnostic imaging in clinical medicine Vol. 53; no. 3; p. 149
Main Authors Luciani, L, Bosetti, S, Failoni, G L, Menichelli, E, Nicolini, M, Peterlongo, P, Taddei, L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland 1984
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Phlebography - methods
Preoperative Care
Spermatic Cord - blood supply
Testis - blood supply
Varicocele - diagnostic imaging
Varicocele - physiopathology
Veins - physiopathology
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Summary:From March 1977 to December 1982, 142 patients with varicocele of various sizes underwent preoperative antegrade or retrograde phlebography of the left spermatic vein. In 8 of them both procedures were carried out. A retrospective analysis of 68 preoperative antegrade venographies in supine (0 degree) and upright (30 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees) positions was made and compared with 66 retrograde venograms. The preoperative 'dynamic' antegrade phlebography has been performed in order to study the hemodynamic conditions of the varicocele, avoiding any pressure interference on the valvular function of the venous renospermatic area. This technique has allowed us to get useful anatomoradiological and physiopathological information about the spontaneous reflux into the internal spermatic vein by its positional filling and emptying. It has also permitted a good visualization of collateral channels, particularly in the pelvic, femorosaphenous and scrotal areas. We could, at the same time, simultaneously sample blood from the cubital and intrascrotal spermatic veins to determine the testosterone, cortisol and serotonin levels, in different positions; the evaluation of these biochemical data is being pursued. In our opinion, this diagnostic procedure is easy to perform and inexpensive. The procedure and the results are discussed in detail.
ISSN:0254-881X