Do you have pain in your testicles or have problems with fertility due to a varicocele?

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Are You Suffering From Pain in your Testicles or From Difficulty Conceiving Pregnancy?​

Varicoceles occur in about 15 percent of all men between the ages of 15 and 35 years. A varicocele is a varicose (dilated, or swollen) vein in the scrotum caused by defective or absent valves in the vessels of the scrotom. They can cause pain and swelling of the testicles or may cause no symptoms at all. Because varicoceles may affect a man’s fertility and ability to produce sperm, a physician may discover a varicocele during a fertility workup.

varicocele

Symptoms

  • Swelling in testicles
  • Pain in testicles
  • Veins in scrotum
  • Infertility
  • Male factor infertility
  • Low sperm count
  • Poor sperm quality
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Background Information

A varicocele is an enlarged vein in a man’s scrotum that may cause infertility, pain, or swelling. Varicocele embolization uses imaging guidance and a catheter to place a tiny coil and/or embolic fluid in a blood vessel to divert blood flow away from a varicocele. It’s less invasive than conventional surgery, improves fertility outcomes similar to conventional surgery, and can relieve pain and swelling.

Treatment Information:
Varicocele Embolization

We at Vascular Anomalies Clinic of Jerusalem (Israel) offer comprehensive treatment options for varicocele and male infertility. We provide the most effective and least invasive techniques to treat these conditions in most patients providing excellent results with minimal recovery times.

We are committed to delivering the highest quality of individualized treatment and compassion. We make every effort to ensure comfort and to control pain. Our patients receive frequent follow up phone calls after discharge to answer questions and provide guidance when needed.

Once a varicocele is found, tests using painless ultrasound imaging may be performed to determine the size and position of the vessels involved. After evaluation, your physician will discuss with you the best treatment option for your individual condition. At one time surgery was the only option, however, a minimally invasive technique, called varicocele embolization, can be performed painlessly in an outpatient setting. The procedure uses a stainless steel coil to block blood flow to the dilated vessels in the varicocele. The procedure is performed by placing a catheter in the affected vessel and deploying the coil in the targeted area. The actual procedure is performed in an outpatient setting and takes about 1 hour. You can expect  to be back to work in 24-48 hours. Most patients are completely recovered within 3 days and experience only mild discomfort. Varicocele embolization is considered equally as effective as surgery in improving chances of natural conception.

Using image-guidance, a catheter (a long, thin, hollow plastic tube) is inserted through the skin into the jugular vein, a large blood vessel in the neck, and maneuvered to the treatment site.

Small amounts of x-ray dye (contrast) are injected so that the interventional radiologist can clearly see the veins on the x-ray in order to pinpoint where the problem is and where to embolize, or block, the vein.

Tiny coils made of stainless steel or platinum or other materials, such as liquids, which directly close a vessel, are then inserted in the vein to block it. By blocking the diseased draining vein, backflow into the testicle is stopped and the blood is diverted to healthy veins to exit the testicle through normal pathways. Swelling and pressure within the testicle will be reduced if the blood flow is successfully diverted.

At the end of the procedure, the catheter will be removed and pressure will be applied to the neck area. The opening in the skin is then covered with a small bandage. No sutures are needed.

This procedure is usually completed within one hour and requires local anesthesia only. Patients return to normal activities almost immediately and are instructed only to not lift heavy objects for 5 days after the procedure.

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Dr. Adam Farkas

We believe in partnering with you, in order to alleviate your suffering. Our patients’ concerns are our concerns, and we take pride not only in providing excellent outcomes to our patients, but in seeing a smile on their faces.

National referral center for complex vascular disorders

with 3000 annual procedures performed

Condition FAQ

Please call 02-564-5634 and ask for an appointment in Dr. Farkas’s private clinic in Jerusalem. If you have already undergone a scrotal ultrasound or sperm analysis, please bring the results with you on the day of your clinic visit.

Once you are seen in Dr. Farkas’s clinic and are determined to be a candidate for the “embolization” procedure, the procedure will be scheduled with our scheduling coordinator. Typically an appointment can be given within a few weeks time. The embolization procedure is generally covered by your kuppat cholim. You will have the option of doing the procedure via “sharap” which allows you to guarantee that Dr. Farkas (and not another physician in the department) performs your procedure. Doing the procedure via “sharap” is generally covered by private insurance and involves a co-payment if done via kuppat cholim. Our scheduling coordinator will be happy to explain the details.

The procedure typically takes about 1 hour, during which you will be partially sedated (partially asleep). You will then go home about an hour  after the procedure. You can expect to return to your normal activities within 1-2 days.

After varicocele embolization, no routine follow up is usually needed. If necessary or desired, follow up clinic visit can be arranged at 02-564-5634.

More Resources

Varicocele Embolization - radiologyinfo

Varicocele Embolization – CIRSE

Varicocele Embolization – Video

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