[Sclerotherapy of varicocele. Efficacy of radiological, clinical and seminal treatment].

Between december 1983 and april 1989, percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy of varicocele was successfully performed on 364 patients. A 5% solution of sodium morrhuate and benzylic alcohol (Varicocid) was administered through a coaxial balloon catheter inserted into the spermatic vein. 10 of the patients had relapses after surgery. Long-term follow-up was available for 268 patients (73.6%). Three of them had incomplete relapses after sclerotherapy. In terms of spermatologic improvement, sclerotherapy appeared to be effective in the treatment of varicoceles. In our experience, sclerotherapy is a safe effective procedure to be preferred to surgery in the management of varicocele.