Percutaneous embolization of a left-sided varicocele in a patient with a duplicated inferior vena cava.
Anatomic variants of the inferior vena cava (IVC) can make selective catheterization of the spermatic vein difficult. In an attempt to embolize the left varicocele, the authors identified a duplicated IVC on an initial venogram through the right common femoral vein. However, it was not possible to cannulate the left spermatic vein with this conventional approach, necessitating an approach from the right internal jugular vein. The left varicocele was successfully embolized.
Department of Radiology, Gwynedd Hospital, Bangor LL57 2PW, United Kingdom. patanjali_c@hotmail.com
Patanjali
P
Chaturvedi
Martin R
MR
Pike
Hugh W
HW
Godfrey
D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D014646:Varicocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities*