Varicocele Embolization
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Our board-certified physicians diagnose and treat many vascular conditions. Call to learn more about interventional radiology services.
Treatment for:
Symptomatic varicocele
Why it’s done:
A varicocele is a dilated network of veins which occurs in the scrotum, usually on the left side, which can cause pain, swelling, and reduced fertility. Varicocele embolization is a minimally-invasive method of blocking these veins, which relieves these symptoms in a large proportion of patients.
How it’s done:
An interventional radiologist uses ultrasound and X-rays to guide a catheter from the femoral vein in the groin into the gonadal vein (the source of the varicocele). Contrast injection is used to map the vein, and the vein is then occluded by using coils, sclerosants, or other agents.
Level of anesthesia:
Conscious sedation
Risks:
Small risk of bleeding or infection. Small risk of inflammation of the veins in the scrotum
For More Information:
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our IR physicians, please call 310-481-7545.