[Varicocele's radiological endovascular occlusion].

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience on percutaneous treatment of male varicocele over the last 15 years. METHODS: 690 patients with left varicocele underwent percutaneous occlusion of the spermatic vein. Embolization was undertaken using various types of materials; the most frequently used association was coils and sclerosing substances. Thorough clinical control was carried out, including ultrasound and spermiogram when indicated. RESULTS: Initial success rate was 97.8% and complication rate was 6.2%. Varicocele persistence or relapse was found in 13.2% of the cases after embolization. In the group of patients with sperm tests on follow-up, sperm counts became normal in 46% of the patients, and "a + b" mobility in 35%. Post-treatment pregnancy rate was 20%. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous occlusion of the spermatic vein is a very extensively developed technique. Its efficacy and nearly null rate of severe complications, associated with its good results, make it the technique of choice in the treatment of male varicocele.