Varicocoele

Can masturbation cause testicular cancer?

Checking for cancer in undescended testes

Discomfort in testicles

I had a testicular torsion, but can I now have children?

Lumps behind the testicle

My son only has one testicle – will he be unhappy?

Self-examination

Surgery for undescended testicles

Question
I have a varicocoele in my left testicle.

After surgery the problem came back (well didn't go away).

I now have to have dye put into me and then anX-ray taken. The doctor mentioned 'embalising', but I don't know what this is. Can you please explain this procedure?

Answer
A varicocoele is a bundle of varicose veins in the scrotum resulting from congestion in the veins, which drain blood away from the testicle area. The usual symptoms are a soft swelling and an aching or dragging sensation, particularly when you have been standing for any length of time.

Sometimes there can be a reduced sperm count as a result of the varicocoele. Usually surgery is sufficient to tie off and remove the varicose veins after which time the problem is solved.

Since the varicocoele has recurred, it may be that there is increased pressure in the venous system from further above, and this will be the reason for the further investigations from having dye injected and then X-rays taken.

The doctors want to see if there are congested veins further up, say near the liver. If this is the case, any problems here will need to be tackled, as this is the root cause.

Embolisation is a technique where blood vessels are deliberately blocked off to cut off the blood supply, but the technique is usually applied to arteries rather than veins.

The blood vessel is catheterised or in other words a fine flexible plastic tube is fed along its length and then a device is passed along the catheter, which effectively blocks the blood vessel.

You need to ask the specialist where the underlying abnormality lies, and what blood vessel is being considered for embolisation and how this will remedy the varicocoele.

Yours sincerely

The Medical Team

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use

© Copyright 1998 - 2008 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved