Jessica H Hannick1, Anne-Sophie Blais2, Jin Kyu Kim2, Jeffrey Traubici3, Mitchell Shiff2, Ross Book2, Armando J Lorenzo4. 1. Division of Urology, McMaster Children's Hospital and McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: armando.lorenzo@sickkids.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the implications of varicoceles and nutcracker phenomenon (NcP) in a large cohort of adolescent patients. Varicoceles are common in adolescent males, generating concerns regarding etiology and management. At our institution, Doppler ultrasound (US) of the renal vessels is routinely obtained with the goal of assessing for an associated nutcracker phenomenon. METHODS: Between 1/2000 and 3/2017, 182 patients with clinical varicoceles were evaluated with US. Retrospective assessment provided complete data in 137, including maximum varicose vein diameter, testicular measurements, left renal vein velocities at the hilum and impingement point by the superior mesenteric artery, and procedural interventions. RESULTS: NcP was detected in 77 patients (56.2%), who experienced higher venous velocity ratios (8.33 vs 2.87; P < 0.001) than those without. Overall, 39 patients (28.5%) had a testicular volume discrepancy >20%, without a significant difference based on the presence or absence of NcP (27.3 vs 30.0%, respectively; P = 0.36). Both groups had similar ages at diagnosis, bilateral volume parameters, volume difference, maximum varicose vein sizes, and follow-up duration (P ≥ 0.05 for all). Intervention was more likely in patients with volume difference >20% (P = 0.014). Having NcP was not associated with a higher incidence of initial (P = 0.59) or reoperative surgery (P = 0.73). CONCLUSION: NcP is common in adolescent patients with a varicocele, but it is not associated with differences in testicular parameters or an increased frequency of initial or reoperative surgery. As such, NcP may have few clinical ramifications as an isolated finding in this patient population, calling into question routine assessment for its presence.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the implications of varicoceles and nutcracker phenomenon (NcP) in a large cohort of adolescent patients. Varicoceles are common in adolescent males, generating concerns regarding etiology and management. At our institution, Doppler ultrasound (US) of the renal vessels is routinely obtained with the goal of assessing for an associated nutcracker phenomenon. METHODS: Between 1/2000 and 3/2017, 182 patients with clinical varicoceles were evaluated with US. Retrospective assessment provided complete data in 137, including maximum varicose vein diameter, testicular measurements, left renal vein velocities at the hilum and impingement point by the superior mesenteric artery, and procedural interventions. RESULTS: NcP was detected in 77 patients (56.2%), who experienced higher venous velocity ratios (8.33 vs 2.87; P < 0.001) than those without. Overall, 39 patients (28.5%) had a testicular volume discrepancy >20%, without a significant difference based on the presence or absence of NcP (27.3 vs 30.0%, respectively; P = 0.36). Both groups had similar ages at diagnosis, bilateral volume parameters, volume difference, maximum varicose vein sizes, and follow-up duration (P ≥ 0.05 for all). Intervention was more likely in patients with volume difference >20% (P = 0.014). Having NcP was not associated with a higher incidence of initial (P = 0.59) or reoperative surgery (P = 0.73). CONCLUSION: NcP is common in adolescent patients with a varicocele, but it is not associated with differences in testicular parameters or an increased frequency of initial or reoperative surgery. As such, NcP may have few clinical ramifications as an isolated finding in this patient population, calling into question routine assessment for its presence.
Authors: Rossella Cannarella; Aldo E Calogero; Rosita A Condorelli; Filippo Giacone; Antonio Aversa; Sandro La Vignera Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-09-08 Impact factor: 4.241