Effect of Varicocele on Testicular Volume

Abstract

Varicocele is one of the common causes of male infertility and is characterized by an anomalous dilation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus. There are many researches reported about ipsilateral testis volume reduction in varicocele in the literature. There are few researches reported about the effect of varicocele to the contralateral testis and different results have been reported unlike each other, as some reports say that an increase in contralateral testicular volume in varicocele, the others say reduction in contralateral testicular size. In our study we aimed to detect the effects of varicocele on bilateral testicular size. The study included 89 adult patients that had undergone routine scrotal CDUS and diagnosed with only left-sided varicocele. 51 patients which have no varicocele and any other anomaly with testis were chosen for the control group. The patients diagnosed with varicocele gathered into groups as grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3. The difference between bilateral testis volume was calculated by the formula; [(right testis volume-left testis volume) / right testis volume x 100] in all patients. Right and left testis volumes, volume differences between testes among all groups (control, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 groups), and right and left testis volumes in each group were compared. No significant difference was established statistically in comparision of testis volumes in each group, and right and left testis volumes and differences between testes volumes within groups. In conclusion, our study established that there is no effect on testis volume in varicocele.