Prevalence of Varicocele in Adolescents and Effect of Varicocele on the Testicular Volume / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of varicocele and their effect on the testicular volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relationship between testicular volume and the degree of varicocele, as classified by Dubin-Amelar, was evaluated in 1,281 Korean school boys, between 15 and 18 years of age. All examinations were carried out by a single urologist, and the testicular volume was measured in the upright posture using a Prader's orchidometer. All the boys were assessed for their previous medical history, family history. RESULTS: There was a 12.9% prevalence of varicocele in the adolescents. The mean testicular volume in the control groups was 14.29+/-2.10ml on the left and 14.45+/-2.13ml on the right. Patients with left varicocele had a testicular volume of 13.09+/-2.34ml on the left and 13.24+/-2.32ml on the right. The testicular volume of patients with a grade I varicocele were similar to those in the control group. Patients with grade II and III varicoceles had significantly smaller testes than the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in testicular volume due to a varicocele correlated with the severity of the varicocele grade. Careful evaluation for testicular volume loss, and early surgical intervention, should be offered to adolescent patients with varicoceles.