The relationship between saphenofemoral junction insufficiency and varicocele

The aim of the study was to investigate whether or not there is a significant relationship between varicocele and SFJ insufficiency. This study included 200 men with (study group) and 200 men without (control group) primary varicocele which was initially diagnosed by observation during the Valsalva manoeuver. Subsequently, scrotal and lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasonography (USG) was performed by a senior radiologist, and participants with testicular veins >3.0 mm in diameter and reverse blood flow were determined to have varicocele. SFJ insufficiency was defined as retrograde flow in the SFJ of longer than 0.5 s. Retrograde venous flow in the pampiniform plexus was determined 3.5% (study) versus 0.0% (control) and 77.0% (study) versus 0.0% (control) in the right testis and left testis, respectively, and bilaterally at 11.5% (study) versus 0.0% (control). The presence of SFJ insufficiency was also found to be higher in the study group than in the control group (unilaterally: 26.0% versus 15.0%; bilaterally: 14.0% versus 5.0%). The current study demonstrates a statistically significant relationship between varicocele and SFJ insufficiency and supports the argument that varicocele is not a local disease and may be attributable to a systemic vascular insufficiency. Additional studies with larger series are needed to further elucidate this topic.

Evaluation of effectiveness of antiandrogen treatments on cavernosal tissues in rats

In this study, we aimed to compare changes in cavernosal tissues in rats with antiandrogen treatment and orchiectomy. A total of 42 Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I, control group, Group II, LH-RH was given for 1 month, Group III-LH-RH + Bicalutamide was given for 1 month, and Group IV was defined as orchiectomy and followed up for 1 month. Measurements of intracavernosal pressure with different electrical stimuli and pathological findings of smooth muscle collagen in cavernosal tissues were examined. While the cavernosal pressure response in all the different electrical stimuli given in the control group and in all other groups was significantly lower than that in the other groups, it was statistically significant at 7.5 and 10 V (p = .005, p < 0001). According to the pathologic evaluation, the density of tissue collagen increased significantly in the other groups according to the control group. In groups 3 and 4, the density of 4+ collagen was found to be increased according to Groups 1 and 2. In the LH-RH alone group, it appears that there are no 4+ colloid density and less damage. According to these findings, the negative effect of LH-RH treatment on cavernosal tissues appears to be less.

Symptoms in Dilating Venous Disease

Lower extremity venous diseases or insufficiency include clinically deteriorating conditions with morphological and functional alterations of the venous system, including venous hypertension, vascular wall structural abnormality, and venous valvar incompetency in association with an inflammatory process. In fact, the same pathophysiological processes are the main underlying mechanisms of other venous insufficiencies in different vascular territories such as Peripheral Varicose Vein (PVV), varicocele, Pelvic Varicosities or Congestion Syndrome (PCS) and Hemorrhoidal Disease (HD). Regarding the anatomical continuity of lower extremity venous system, urogenital system (pampiniform plexus in male and broad ligament and ovarian veins in female) and anorectal venous system, it is reasonable to expect common symptoms such as pain, burning sensation, pruritis, swelling, which arise directly from the involved tissue itself. High coexistence rate of PVV, varicocele/PCS and HD between each other underlines not only the same vascular wall abnormality as an underlying etiology but also the existence of common symptoms originating from the involved tissue in dilating venous disease. Accordingly, it might be reasonable to query the common symptoms of venous dilating disease in other venous vascular regions in patients with complaints of any particular venous territory.