What are small bilateral varicoceles?
A varicocele (VAR-ih-koe-seel) is an enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds your testicles (scrotum). A varicocele is similar to a varicose vein you might see in your leg. Varicoceles are a common cause of low sperm production and decreased sperm quality, which can cause infertility.
Is bilateral varicocele serious?
Are varicoceles dangerous? Varicoceles are not life threatening, but rarely they can be associated with dangerous conditions. For example, if a varicocele forms on the right side and not the left, it is important to make sure there is no mass or other abnormality in the abdomen that might be causing it.
What is mild bilateral hydrocele?
A hydrocele (HI-droe-seel) is a type of swelling in the scrotum that occurs when fluid collects in the thin sheath surrounding a testicle. Hydrocele is common in newborns and usually disappears without treatment by age 1. Older boys and adult men can develop a hydrocele due to inflammation or injury within the scrotum.
What are the symptoms of bilateral varicocele?
Recognizing the symptoms of a varicocele
- a lump in one of your testicles.
- swelling in your scrotum.
- visibly enlarged or twisted veins in your scrotum, which are often described as looking like a bag of worms.
- a dull, recurring pain in your scrotum.
What causes bilateral varicoceles?
Varicoceles are believed to be caused by defective valves in the veins within the scrotum, just above the testicles. Normally, these valves regulate the flow of blood to and from the testicles. When normal flow doesn’t occur, the blood backs up, causing the veins to dilate (enlarge).
Can bilateral varicocele be treated?
There are no drugs to treat or prevent varicoceles. But pain killers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) may help with pain. When needed, surgery is the main form of treatment. Embolization (briefly blocking the veins) is a non-surgical treatment option.
How is bilateral varicocele treated?
Repair methods include:
- Open surgery. This treatment usually is done on an outpatient basis, during general or local anesthetic.
- Laparoscopic surgery. Your surgeon makes a small incision in your abdomen and passes a tiny instrument through the incision to see and to repair the varicocele.
- Percutaneous embolization.
What is the treatment of bilateral varicocele?
What’s the difference between a varicocele and a hydrocele?
Hydroceles and varicoceles are types of testicular lumps and swellings involving the male scrotum. However they differ because hydrocele is a swelling caused by fluid around the testicle, whereas varicocele is a swelling caused by dilated or enlarged veins within the testicles.
What’s the difference between bilateral and left sided hydroceles?
Left-sided hydroceles occur in 25 percent of the cases whereas bilateral hydroceles are seen only in about 15 percent of the cases. Initially, hydroceles appear as a soft swelling in the scrotal membrane. In mild cases, they are painless and do not affect the testes at all.
Is the scrotum a bilateral or unilateral hydrocele?
Because of this, the scrotum as a whole appears to be enlarged. However, in some cases, unequal swelling of the sides of the scrotum can also be seen. Although hydroceles can be both unilateral and bilateral, unilateral hydroceles are more prevalent both in infants and in adults.
What does varicocele stand for in medical terms?
A varicocele (VAR-ih-koe-seel) is an enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds your testicles (scrotum).