title: Diagnosis of clinical and subclinical varicocele: how has it evolved?
abstract: In this review, we examine the evolution and application of various diagnostic modalities for varicoceles starting with venography, scintigraphy, and thermography and their role in the evaluation of a varicocele patient. Some of these methods have been supplanted by less invasive and more easily performed diagnostic modalities, especially ultrasound and Doppler examination of the scrotum. Advances in ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging hold the potential to expand the role of imaging beyond that of visual confirmation and characterization of varicoceles. The ability to identify the early indicators of testicular dysfunction based on imaging findings may have implications for the management of varicoceles in the future.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Belay
authors.forename: Gene Omar
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jim Ken-Chie
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA.
authors.forename: Edmund Yuey Kun
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014646:Varicocele / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology