When symptoms suggest this problem, often patients will have an ultrasound. The best test for confirming the diagnosis is a pelvic venogram. This is a procedure done as an outpatient in one of our partner hospitals. A mild sedative is given. A small catheter is placed into the vein in the right groin. X-rays are used to guide the catheter into the veins that drain the pelvis and x-ray dye is then given, creating an image of the veins. When the procedure is over, the catheter is removed. Usually patients have to recover for about an hour after the procedure before they can go home. Patients can resume all their normal activities the next day.

If Varicocele is diagnosed, the treatment involves blocking blood flow in the abnormal veins. This directs the blood flow into normal veins which will relieve the symptoms. This is a procedure done as an outpatient in one of our partner hospitals. A mild sedative is given. A small catheter is placed into the vein in the right groin. X-rays are used to guide the catheter into the veins that drain the pelvis. Metallic coils are placed in the veins to block the flow. Sometimes other agents are used which are irritating to the vein and cause them to close down. When the procedure is over, the catheter is removed. Usually patients have to recover for about an hour after the procedure before they can go home. Patients can resume all their normal activities the next day. Some patients will experience pelvic pain for up to a week after the procedure. We usually manage this pain with over the counter medications. Your doctor will discuss the options with you.