Venography and Sclerotherapy of Varicoceles in Children and Adolescents: A New Catheter System

Abstract

For the purpose of treating children with clinical varicoceles by employing sclerotherapy following testicular phlebography in a supine position, we have developed a new catheter system [1], The system (Fig. 1) consists of an occlusion balloon catheter (French 7) shaped to a Hopkins bend [2]. The catheter is introduced percutaneously by the femoral approach through a French 8 vascular sheath. Following occlusion phlebography of the internal spermatic vein, a French 2.5 therapeutic catheter containing a 0.012-in. steerable guide wire is used to direct the balloon catheter beyond or close to the last contributing collateral. The therapeutic catheter with the guide wire is advanced toward the inguinal region to bypass all collateral supply (Fig. 2). At that point, there is usually only one vein draining the testicle.