Evaluation of testicular vein anatomy with multidetector computed tomography.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the normal anatomy and variations of testicular veins by multidetector CT (MDCT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 101 male patients who underwent abdominal CT for various clinical indications. Mean age of patients was 53 years. Images were obtained by dual source 64-slice MDCT (n = 61) and 64-MDCT (n = 41). Images were analyzed using 1 mm thick slices on a dedicated workstation. The number of testicular veins, drainage site and diameter of proximal, mid and distal testicular veins were recorded.
RESULTS: Testicular veins were visualized in all patients. There were single right testicular vein in 99 (98%) patients and 2 (2%) patients had duplicated right testicular veins (total 103 veins). Right testicular vein drained into inferior vena cava in 88 (87.1%) patients and right renal vein in 13 (12.9%) patients. One of duplicated right testicular veins drained into inferior vena cava and other paired drained into right renal vein and inferior vena cava separately. There were single left testicular vein in 88 (87.1%) patients and 13 (12.9%) patients had duplicated veins (total 14 veins). All left testicular veins drained into left renal vein.
CONCLUSION: 64-MDCT enables evaluation of testicular veins in all patients. Right and left testicular veins are usually single, but can be duplicated more commonly. © Springer-Verlag 2011