Varicose Vein Hernia (Varicocele): Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that can be caused by a varicocele (varicocele hernia):

Genitourinary system (N00-N99)

  • Testicular atrophy (“shrunken testicle”) due to varicocele (but also after antegrade sclerotherapy (sclerotherapy from the testicle) due to arterial malpuncture or extravasation (leakage of blood from a vessel) of sclerosing agent).
  • Subfertility (limitation of fertility) due to testicular damage:
    • Result from reflux of adrenal metabolites, increased testicular temperature, and increased venous pressure.
    • Possibly also FSH increase due toimpairment of Sertoli cell function.
    • Possibly also LH increase due toimpairment of Leydig cell function.
    • Testosterone is usually normal to subnormal

Further

  • For children:
    • Swelling of the scrotal compartment (space of the scrotum surrounding the testicle).
  • In adults:
    • Drawing pain in the groin
    • Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
    • Varicocele grade III: Varicocele already easily palpable and visible under resting conditions.