Ovarian varicocele: ultrasonic and phlebographic evaluation.

The aim of this work is to suggest a new diagnostic approach to the "female varicocele syndrome" which utilizes transvaginal ultrasonography. The presence of circular or linear anechogenic structures with a diameter greater than 5 mm, which were found in transverse and oblique sections of the lateral fornices, was indicative of pelvic varices. The vascular nature of these structures was confirmed with the Valsalva's maneuver and in the upright position. The presence of "pelvic varices" was confirmed by retrograde phlebography of the left ovarian vein in 46% of the cases. In such cases the parity was greater than in subjects without "pelvic varices" (chi square = 12.75, p less than 0.001), and the principal symptoms were characterized by pelvic pains and menstrual cycle disorders.