Varicocele embolization is a non-surgical procedure performed by an Interventional Radiologist (IR). It is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia, thus avoiding the risks and complications from surgery and general anesthesia. A tiny catheter is placed in to a vein of the right neck or right groin and advanced under x-ray guidance in to the spermatic vein on the side of the varicocele (typically left but can be both). A contrast injection (venogram) is obtained during a Valsalva (bearing down) maneuver to document the reflux of contrast down the incompetent spermatic vein to the scrotum. It also depicts the collateral channels that may be present, and is the reason why the embolization procedure has a lower recurrence rate compared with traditional surgery (i.e. these collaterals cannot be seen during the surgery). Either a series of metallic coils or a sandwich of coils surrounding an injection of a sclerosant is used to close the spermatic vein as well as any collateral channels.
Kidney Disease and Urology
The kidneys are amazing organs. One of the kidney’s major functions is to filter and remove waste products and excess fluids from your body. Each and every day, your kidneys filter over 200 quarts of fluid to produce about 2 quarts of urine that is stored in the bladder, and ultimately removed through a process called urination. Your kidneys also play an important role in removing drugs, regulating blood pressure, controlling the production of red bloods cells and helping promote strong, healthy bones by producing an active form of vitamin D.
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 3 AnswersThe most common form of treatment for varicoceles is varicocelectomy, which is the removal of the veins that are widened. In this technique, a surgeon will make a cut in the groin (transinguinal), abdomen (retroperitoneal), or area below the groin(infrainguinal/infrapubic) and remove the problematic veins. The surgeon will then redirect the blood flow to other veins in the area. This is usually an outpatient procedure.
A microscopic approach, known as microsurgical varicocelectomy, is also available. This technique involves use of a microscope to help a surgeon find the veins that need to be removed while preserving the tiny arteries that bring blood to the testes. Magnification also allows identification and preservation of the lymphatics, the vessels that drain fluid from the space between the testes and the surrounding sac. This is believed to reduce the risk of hydrocele (an accumulation of fluid around the testis) after surgery. Microsurgical varicocelectomy is done through tiny cuts (one inch or less) in the skin typically as an outpatient procedure.
An alternate technique is called an embolization, which involves insertion of a small tube inserted into a vein in the neck or groin that reaches down to the dilated veins. A coil or balloon is then passed through the tube and is placed in the enlarged veins to block them. The blood from the testes then drain through smaller veins in the surrounding area. -
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See All 2 AnswersIf there's potential for cancer or they're particularly sizeable, kidney cysts can be treated with surgery, says Timothy Atkinson, MD, from Frankfort Regional Medical Center. Watch him describe why surgery is the best option in this short video.
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Dr. Jill Rabin , OBGYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology), answeredSee All 2 AnswersHematuria, or blood in the urine, almost always indicates an abnormality, unless atrophic vaginitis and cystitis (thinning of the vaginal and bladder tissues due to a lack of estrogen) is the culprit, or unless menstrual blood happens to accidentally get into the urine. Hematuria is generally caused by a bladder infection and is easily cured with the proper dosage of antibiotics.
Blood in the urine, however, may also indicate more severe problems, such as bladder cancer or kidney cancer. If you suspect blood in your urine, see a doctor immediately.
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RealAge answeredSee All 3 AnswersUrethritis is an infection that causes swelling and irritation of the urethra, the small tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. In men, the urethra also carries semen. Urethritis can be caused by infection with bacteria or viruses, including those that cause sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex). In women, it can also be caused by bruising during sexual intercourse.
Symptoms of urethritis in both men and women may include:- burning or pain during urination
- frequent or urgent urination
- pain with intercourse
- fever
- pus or white discharge from the penis
- itching, tenderness or swelling in the penis
- swelling in the lymph nodes of the groin area
- pain with ejaculation
- abdominal pain
- unusual vaginal discharge
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Depending on the cause, urethritis may be treated with antibiotics or pain medications. Watch this video with urologist Kyle Himsl, MD from Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center to learn more.
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Intermountain Healthcare answeredSee All 5 AnswersA ureteral stent is a tiny, hollow tube that runs from the kidney to the bladder and stays in place for several weeks after a kidney stone procedure. A stent helps you in three important ways:- It holds your ureter open. Your ureter has some normal swelling after a kidney stone procedure. The stent keeps this swelling from blocking the ureter.
- It prevents severe pain after a procedure. If your ureter is swollen shut, you can have severe stone-like pain for 3 to 7 days. With a stent, urine flows freely and you don't experience this pain.
- It can widen the ureter so small stone fragments pass more easily. A stent also causes its own temporary difficulties -- ask your doctor what to expect.
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Intermountain Healthcare answeredSee All 3 AnswersA ureteral stent typically causes two other symptoms:
- Feeling like you have to "go" all the time. The end of the stent sits near the opening of the bladder, and it stimulates the area that tells your brain you have to urinate. The result is that even when your bladder is empty, it may still feel full.
- Blood in your urine. Expect to see blood in your urine until the stent is removed. This can come and go -- some days the urine will be clear, and the next day it will be bloody.
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 6 Answers
Varicoceles are a widening and swelling of veins in the scrotum that are similar to varicose veins in the legs or hemorrhoids. Varicoceles are found in approximately 15% of the general male population but in a higher percentage of infertile men who have never fathered a child (35%) or who once fathered a child but are now infertile (81%). In all veins, one-way valves help blood flow back to the heart. However, when these valves are not working properly, as in varicocele or varicose veins, blood can pool in the veins causing them to become swollen and enlarged. Varicoceles first appear in adolescents and worsen slowly over time.
Varicoceles have been described as feeling or looking like a bag of worms in the scrotum. They often produce no symptoms, but may cause pain in rare instances.
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Dr. Harry Fisch, MD , Urology, answeredSee All 2 AnswersIt is definitely harmful to hold in urine if your bladder is full, because you can stretch out your bladder muscles; you are also at greater risk for urinary tract infections. Watch urologist Harry Fisch, MD, explain why you shouldn't hold in urine.