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.


METHODS
The study included 4052 boys aged of 2-19 years, divided into four age groups; the findings of a physical examination, any testicular atrophy and testicular volume were recorded.


RESULTS
Varicocele was detected in 293 (7.2%) of the 4052 boys; the prevalence was 0.79% in those aged 2-6 years, 0.96% at 7-10 years, 7.8% at 11-14 years and 14.1% at 15-19 years. The prevalence was 0.92% in 1232 children aged 2-10 years and 11.0% in 2531 adolescents aged 11-19 years (P < 0.001). The prevalence increased significantly at age 13 years (P < 0.005). The varicocele was unilateral in 263 of the 293 (89.7%) boys with varicocele; of these, one (0.38%) was on the right and the others on the left side. Varicoceles 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 was not present in those aged < 11 years, but seven boys (7.3%) aged 11-14 years 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 significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the view that varicocele is a progressive disease and that the prevalence of varicocele and testicular atrophy increases with the puberty.
Akbay
E
E
Departments of Urology and Radiology, Medical Faculty of Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. erakbay@mersin.edu.tr
Cayan
S
S
Doruk
E
E
Duce
M N
MN
Bozlu
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014646:Varicocele / Q000453:epidemiology*