Intravascular Ultrasound for Evaluation of Left Gonadal Vein Anatomic Variations During Coil Embolization.

We illustrate the intravascular ultrasound (US) findings in the evaluation of left gonadal vein anatomic variations. During a 2-year period, 4 consecutive patients (mean age, 37 years; range, 28-45 years) with left-sided varicocele underwent embolization. Intravascular US examinations and retrograde venography were performed to assess varicocele anatomy. Anatomic variants were recorded and categorized. A comparison between intravascular US and fluoroscopic findings was performed. The Fisher exact test was used for statistical analysis (P < .05). Technical success was achieved in all cases. There was a statistically significant difference in the maximum gonadal vein diameter between venography and intravascular US (P = .0087). Intravascular US showed left gonadal vein anatomic variations and better ability in the evaluation of the vein diameter.