Objective: To report on the high incidence of anatomical variants of the origin and course of the internal spermatic vein (ISV) discovered at the time of percutaneous embolization of left varicoceles in a pediatric population.
Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the 65 cases of left varicocele treated by percutaneous embolization (grade II and III) in our institution between 1990 and 2000. The course of the left renal vein (LRV), the origin of the ISV, and the number of ISVs and their pathway were recorded in all cases, according to the Bähren classification.
Results: In 37/65 (57%), the ISV was single and arose from a normal LRV (type I). The following variants were encountered: type V--circumaortic LRV 9/65 (14%); type IVb--intrarenal origin of ISV 8/65 (12%); type II--multiple ISV 5/65 (8%); and pelvic collaterals 6/65 (9%).
Conclusion: Venous anatomical variants are frequently encountered (43%) at the time of left varicocele embolization in children. Such variants often impose some adjustments to the technique of embolization and, at times, hamper the procedure.