What does bilateral varicoceles mean?

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 if you have varicocele on both sides?

Varicoceles can exist on both sides at the same time, but this is rare. About 10 to 15 boys out of 100 have a varicocele. Most of the time, varicoceles cause no problems and are harmless. Less often varicoceles can cause pain, problems fathering a child, or one testicle to grow slower or shrink.

What is meant by bilateral grade 2 varicocele?

Diagnosis. There are three grades of varicocele: Grade 1: The smallest type, this is not visible, but a physician can feel it if they use a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 2: This is not visible, but it can be felt without a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 3: The varicocele is visible.

What causes bilateral varicocele?

Varicocele Causes 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).

What happens if varicocele is not treated?

Left untreated, they can cause testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testicles). There is also a strong association between varicoceles and male infertility. Varicoceles have been linked with decreases in sperm count and motility and increases in the number of deformed and ineffective sperm.

Is bilateral varicocele treatable?

Varicocele treatment might not be necessary. Many men with varicoceles are able to father a child without any treatment. However, if your varicocele causes pain, testicular atrophy or infertility or if you are considering assisted reproductive techniques, you might want to undergo varicocele repair.

What causes varicoceles bilateral?

How common is bilateral varicocele?

Varicoceles are far more common (80% to 90%) in the left testicle. If a left varicocele is identified, there is a 30% to 40% probability it is a bilateral condition.

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.

Will varicocele go away?

Varicoceles are large, twisted veins that drain blood from the testicles. They are much like varicose veins of the leg. Most often, they occur after puberty on the left side of the scrotum. Once a varicocele is present, it will not go away on its own.

What is bilateral varicose veins?

Bilateral Varicose Vein. Varicose veins are caused due to muscle contractions in your lower legs. The symptoms of varicose veins are usually pain, heaviness, swelling and ache in the legs.

What are Bilateral crackles?

Bilateral crackles refers to the presence of crackles in both lungs. Basal crackles are crackles apparently originating in or near the base of the lung. Bibasal crackles refer to crackles at the bases of both the left and right lungs. Bilateral basal crackles also refers to the presence of basal crackles in both lungs.