title: Percutaneous retrograde varicocele embolisation using tungsten embolisation coils: a five year audit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of percutaneous retrograde varicocele embolisation using Spirale tungsten coils over a period of five years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty consecutive patients underwent local anaesthetic day case varicocele embolisation via a right femoral approach. Venous anatomy was identified and classified. Morbidity and recurrence were recorded at three month clinical follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedurewas technically successful in 94% of the patients. The varicocele recurred in 16%, the majority of whom had complex venous anatomy. 8% of the patients complained of discomfort at follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the coils used in this study have been withdrawn, a high technical success rate is described with failure being predominantly due to complex venous anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Keoghane
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kabala
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014414:Tungsten; D014646:Varicocele / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D014414:Tungsten