Comparison Between Different Methods for the Diagnosis of Varicocele

Whereas the diagnosis of large (grade II or III) [1 a] varicoceles should not cause any problems, small varicoceles are often more difficult to detect on clinical palpation. In addition, some patients present reflux in the internal spermatic vein without palpable distension of the pampiniform plexus [1]. Such patients are diagnosed as having subclinical reflux or subclinical varicocele. Since reflux is the pathogenetic factor of the epididymotesticular dysfunction in both clinical and subclinical varicoceles, treatment should be the same in both types of patients.