Radiology, Vol 148, 85-87, Copyright © 1983 by Radiological Society of North America
Spermatic vein obliteration using hot contrast medium in dogs
KS Rholl, JA Rysavy, Z Vlodaver, AH Cragg, WR Castaneda-Zuniga and K Amplatz
Obliteration of varicoceles in men with infertility has been shown to
improve semen quality and increase fertility rates. Many current techniques
involve complex procedures and specialized equipment and may be associated
with adverse effects. Transcatheter thermal vessel occlusion was utilized
for spermatic vein obliteration in dogs. Diatrizoate (76%) contrast medium
at a temperature of 100 degrees C was injected into canine spermatic veins.
Follow-up venography and histologic examination revealed thrombosis of the
injected veins without damage to the surrounding tissues in all cases.
Clinical and laboratory examination of the animals revealed no adverse
systemic effects. It is concluded that transcatheter thermal venous
occlusion is an effective technique for spermatic vein occlusion in a
canine model.
