title: Examining the aetiopathogenesis of varicoceles: the relationship between retroperitoneal adipose tissue and testicular venous drainage.
abstract: This study evaluated the effect of retroperitoneal adipose tissue on testicular venous drainage and tested the nutcracker phenomenon by clinical and imaging findings. A total of 95 patients were included. The patients were evaluated with a detailed medical history and physical examination for varicocele. Their weight, height and waist circumference were also recorded. Body mass index was calculated as weight (kg)/height squared (m(2) ). Pampiniform plexus diameters were measured by scrotal colour Doppler ultrasonography, and retroperitoneal adipose tissue was evaluated by noncontrast abdominal computed tomography. We determined an almost significant correlation between BMI and varicocele presence by physical examination (P = 0.06). However, there was a significant relationship between WC and varicocele identified by physical examination (P = 0.021). There was a positive and significant relationship between BMI and pampiniform plexus diameters. Furthermore, we detected a negative correlation between retroperitoneal adipose tissue measurements and CDU findings. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between WC, pampiniform plexus diameters and CT findings. It is concluded that increasing BMI and increasing WC may play a protective role in the development of varicocele. There is a need for further studies to verify the effect of obesity on varicocele formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umul
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Değirmenci
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Umul
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uçar
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ö
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altok
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Güneş
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Serel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014646:Varicocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body mass index; retroperitoneal adipose tissue; varicocele; waist circumference