Intratesticular varicocele: an easy diagnosis but unclear physiopathologic characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
Intratesticular varicocele (ITV) is an uncommon sonographic finding with controversial data concerning its prevalence and physiopathologic characteristics. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of ITV in a urogenital imaging department and to describe its sonographic features.


METHODS
All identified cases of ITV were prospectively collected in the same imaging department.


RESULTS
Intratesticular dilated veins (>2 mm) with a positive response to the Valsalva maneuver were referred to as ITV. Nine cases of ITV were detected in 8 patients (mean age, 60 years; range, 30-85 years) in a series of 1832 scrotal sonographic examinations performed over 5 years (0.4%). A history of homolateral scrotal surgery was found in 5 cases. In most cases, ITV was left sided (6/9) and located in the mediastinum testis (6/9) with associated extratesticular varicocele (8/9) and testicular hypotrophy (7/9). Five of the 7 hypotrophic testes had other causes of hypotrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
Although variations do exist in the sonographic appearance of ITV, its specific sonographic and Doppler appearance should enable the radiologist to obviate further study. Intratesticular varicocele is often associated with ipsilateral testicular atrophy, but whether it is a cause or a consequence of testicular atrophy remains unclear.
Tétreau
Raphaël
R
Department of Urinary and Vascular Radiology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, F-69437, France.
Julian
Philippe
P
Lyonnet
Denis
D
Rouvière
Olivier
O
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*