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19–22 APRIL, 2017, BARCELONA, SPAIN
S10: ADOLESCENT UROLOGY
Moderators: Dan Wood (UK), Rosalia Misseri (USA)
ESPU Meeting on Thursday 20, April 2017, 14:49–15:15
14:49–14:54
S10-1 (LO)
★
THE IMPACT OF VARICOCELES ON THE TESTICULAR
ATROPHY INDEX: A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL
STUDY
Frederik DAEMS
1
, Donald VAGANÉE
1
, Karen DE BAETS
2
, Tinne VAN DEN KEYBUS
1
,
William AERTS
1
, Rosina DEWAIDE
1
, Stefan DE WACHTER
2
and Gunter DE WIN
2
1) University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, BELGIUM - 2) Antwerp
University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium, Department of Urology, Edegem, BELGIUM
PURPOSE
The Testicular Atrophy Index (TAI) remains widely used in the assessment of varicocele patients.
(Paduch et al. J Urol 1997; 158: 1128-32)(Sigman et al. J Urol 1997; 158: 605-7).
Transcending the value of 20% is often considered an indication for surgical repair.(Diamond et al.
J Urol 2007; 178: 1584-8) This study examines this parameter in both the varicocele and healthy
population.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
FromFebruary2015tillOctober2016,weexamined481adolescentsaged11to16years.Adolescents
with current or past pathologies influencing testicular growth were excluded. Ultrasonography was
used to determine testicular dimensions. Testicular volumes were calculated using Lambert’s for-
mula: (Volume(ml)=LxWxHx0,71). The proportionate difference between left and right testicular
volume was calculated using: TAI=[(right testicular volume - left testicular volume)/volume of the
largest testicle]x100.
RESULTS
Of the 382 included adolescents, 76(19.90%) were found to have a left-sided varicocele, the other
306(80.10%) formed the control group.
Of the varicocele and control group, respectively 56(73.68%) and 183(59.80%) had a smaller left
testicle. Chi-square showed a varicocele to be significantly associated with a smaller left testicle
(p=0.025).
Within these groups, respectively 24(42.86%) and 45(24.59%) had an TAI above 20%. Chi-square
analysis showed a significant association between a varicocele and TAI above 20% (p=0.008).
CONCLUSIONS
A left-sided varicocele is significantly associated with a smaller left testicle and TAI transcending
20%. Nevertheless, this observation requires careful interpretation, given the already high preva-
lence of a smaller left testicle in the healthy population. We need further prospective studies in both
the varicocele and healthy population to determine the real meaning of this ambigious parameter
and to explore the usefulness of other parameters as the sole use of TAI probably results in too
many unnecessary surgeries.