ReviewAndrology2021
Varicocoele. Classification and pitfalls.
Review in Andrology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The role of the radiologist in the evaluation of male infertility: recommendations of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology-Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group (ESUR-SPIWG) for scrotal imaging.European radiology · 2025Guideline
- "Management of andrological disorders from childhood and adolescence to transition age: guidelines from the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS) in collaboration with the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (SIEDP)-Part-1".Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2025Guideline
- Evaluating Silicone Gel Efficacy in Reducing Scar Formation Following Microscopic Inguinal Varicocelectomy: A Double-Blind Prospective Controlled Trial.International wound journal · 2025Trial
- Preoperative Varicocele Severity and Sperm Concentration Are Associated with Absence of Internal Spermatic Vein Reflux in Patients Undergoing Varicocele Embolization: Results from A Cross-Sectional Study.The world journal of men's health · 2026Article
- MRI of spermatic cord lesions: a practical pattern-based approach.Abdominal radiology (New York) · 2026Review
- Evaluation of the efficacy of subinguinal antegrade sclerotherapy and subinguinal micro varicocelectomy versus a combined approach on the semen parameters in infertile patients: a randomized prospective comparative study.Basic and clinical andrology · 2026Article
- Oxidative Damage, Antioxidant Capacity, and Apoptotic Activation in Varicocele: Biochemical Evidence of Improvement After Surgical Repair.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Revisiting the Role of Ultrasound in Pediatric Scrotal and Groin Pathology.Current urology reports · 2026Review
- Adolescent varicocele, a Gordian knot: A comprehensive review of clinical perspectives and future directions.World journal of methodology · 2026Review
- Article
- Recent Trends in the Management of Varicocele.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Beyond the Incision: A Comparative Study of Suprainguinal and Inguinal Varicocele Surgeries.Cureus · 2024Article
- The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) ultrasound study on healthy, fertile men: An overview on male genital tract ultrasound reference ranges.Andrology · 2022Article
- Varicocoele. Classification and pitfalls.Andrology · 2021Review
- Doppler Ultrasonography - An Important Tool in Managing Patients With Varicocele and Secondary Infertility.In vivo (Athens, Greece)Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundVaricocoeles have been considered for a long time potentially correctable causes for male infertility, even though the correlation of this condition with infertility and sperm damage is still debated.
objectiveTo present a summary of the evidence evaluation for imaging varicocoeles, to underline the need for a standardized examination technique and for a unique classification, and to focus on pitfalls in image interpretation.
methodsBased on the evidence of the literature, the current role of ultrasound (US) imaging for varicocoeles has been reported and illustrated, with emphasis on examination technique, classification, and pitfalls.
resultsUS is the imaging modality of choice. It is widely used in Europe, while in other countries clinical classification of varicocoeles is considered sufficient to manage the patient. A number of US classifications exist for varicocoeles, in which the examinnation is performed in different ways. DISCUSSION: An effort toward standardization is mandatory, since lack of standardization contributes to the confusion of the available literature, and has a negative impact on the understanding of the role itself of imaging in patients with varicocoeles.
conclusionUse of the Sarteschi/Liguori classification for varicocoeles is recommended, since it is the most complete and widely used US scoring system available today. Tubular extratesticular structures resembling varicocoeles, either at palpation or at US, should be identified and correctly characterized.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.