A varicocele hernia, which is technically not a hernia, is an enlargement of a vein in the scrotum. Varicoceles are fairly common and can cause pain and infertility.
Causes
A varicocele is caused by the failure of a valve in the vein that drains blood from the testicles. Back-flowing blood can cause swelling and pain.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is the most common treatment for a varicocele. Most operations are successful with little risk of side effects.
Embolization
Embolization is used to treat varicoceles that recur after surgery. A small wire is inserted into the vein and used to drain pooled blood and partially block the swollen vein. Although recovery time is shorter than for surgery, the overall effectiveness rate is lower.
Experimental Treatment
In a recently developed treatment, a catheter is inserted into a vein in the upper thigh. Fluid is injected into the swollen vein and used to partially block it off. This procedure takes 1 to 2 hours, and there is very little discomfort.
Prognosis
Varicoceles are often fairly harmless, and even in cases where they cause infertility, most treatments lead to a significant improvement.
