Radiation load to the gonads in the sclerosing treatment of varicocele

Abstract

Vague notions concerning the radiation dose to the gonads during sclerosing treatment of varicoceles have lead to the unjust neglect of this form of therapy. Accurate measurements have shown that the dose is less than the dose to the female breast resulting from chest radiographs in two planes, if the treatment proceeds without complication. Although the dose is so low, an attempt has been made to evaluate the risk.