Diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of adolescent varicocele

A varicocele, an abnormal tortuosity and dilation of the veins of pampiniform plexus, appears in males at early puberty. There is an association between presence of varicocele, testicular growth arrest and infertility. Approximately 30-50% of males with primary infertility have a varicocele. Authors reminded anatomy, pathophysiology and pathology of the disease. The diagnostic methods, indications for therapy and treatment options were discussed next. Review of the current literature helped to provide guidelines for managing the adolescent with a varicocele. Although the need for treatment of adolescent varicocele in no longer controversial, authors stressed the necessity for further basic research in order to establish the best criteria to select the patients for surgery.