Prevalence of Varicocele in Adolescents and Effect of Varicocele on the Testicular Volume.
- Author:
Ki Ho KIM
1
;
Dal Bong HA
;
Kyung Seop LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea. ksleemd@dongguk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Varicocele;
Prevalence;
Testicular volume;
Adolescents
- MeSH:
Adolescent*;
Humans;
Posture;
Prevalence*;
Testis;
Varicocele*
- From:Korean Journal of Urology
2003;44(1):45-48
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
