Division of Urology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0118, USA.
Urol Clin North Am. 2010 May;37(2):269-78. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2010.03.011.
A varicocele is a dilatation of the testicular vein and the pampiniform venous plexus within the spermatic cord. Although rare in pediatric populations, the prevalence of varicoceles markedly increases with pubertal development. Varicoceles are progressive lesions that may hinder testicular growth and function over time and are the most common and correctable cause of male infertility. Approximately 40% of men with primary infertility have a varicocele, and more than half of them experience improvements in semen parameters after varicocelectomy. The decision to treat adolescents with varicocele is a controversial one. The task for pediatricians and urologists is to identify those adolescents who are at greatest risk for infertility in adulthood, in an effort to offer early surgical intervention to those most likely to benefit.
精索静脉曲张是精索内睾丸静脉和蔓状静脉丛的扩张。虽然在儿科人群中罕见，但精索静脉曲张的患病率随着青春期发育而显著增加。精索静脉曲张是一种进行性病变，随着时间的推移可能会阻碍睾丸的生长和功能，是男性不育症最常见和可纠正的原因。大约 40%的原发性不育症男性患有精索静脉曲张，其中一半以上的人在精索静脉结扎术后精液参数得到改善。治疗青少年精索静脉曲张是一个有争议的问题。儿科医生和泌尿科医生的任务是识别那些在成年后最有可能不育的青少年，以便为那些最有可能受益的人提供早期手术干预。
