Evaluation of Retinal Changes in Varicocele Patients With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Murat Serkan Songur,Mehmet Caniklioğlu

doi:10.7759/cureus.20019

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the macula and optic disc in varicocele patients with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Methods: The right eyes of 30 patients with varicocele and 30 healthy volunteers were evaluated. Superficial and deep capillary plexus vascular densities, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) width, and optic disc parameters were measured with OCTA.Results: There was a significant decrease in vascular density in the superficial and deep capillary plexus in the varicocele group compared to the control group, but no difference was found in FAZ and optic disc parameters.Conclusion: Patients with varicocele have reduced microvascular density in the retina; therefore, it may be beneficial to perform a detailed eye examination with OCTA in these patients.

Highlights

Varicocele is known as dilatation of plexus pampiniformis and internal spermatic veins and is seen in 1015% of men
The right eyes of 30 patients diagnosed with varicocele and 30 healthy controls were evaluated in the study
In our study, when we looked at the vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), there was a significant decrease in all quadrants of the fovea and parafovea in the varicocele group compared to the control group

Summary

Introduction

Varicocele is known as dilatation of plexus pampiniformis and internal spermatic veins and is seen in 1015% of men. It is the most common cause of infertility in men that can be corrected surgically. Since varicocele is a progressive disorder, its early detection is imperative. While it is seen on the left side with a rate of 90%, in 10% of the cases, it is seen bilaterally [1]. Varicocele is perceived to cause infertility problems at the age of 18 and above, which is accepted as adult age, it can be seen in childhood and may cause infertility by creating progressive damage [2]. The fact that the incidence of varicocele is around 53% in the first-degree relatives of male patients with varicocele, which is considerably higher than that of the normal population, indicates that there is a genetic predisposition [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion