Table 1.

US classification of varicocele according to Sarteschi et al. [12]

Grade 1: venous reflux at the emergence of the scrotal vein only during the Valsalva maneuver; hypertrophy of the venous wall without stasis

Grade 2: supratesticular reflux only during the Valsalva maneuver; venous stasis without varicosities

Grade 3: peritesticular reflux during the Valsalva maneuver; overt varicocele with early stage varices of the cremasteric vein

Grade 4: spontaneous basal reflux that increases during the Valsalva maneuver, possible testicular hypotrophy, overt varicocele, varicosities in the pampiniform plexus

Grade 5: spontaneous basal reflux that does not increase during the Valsalva maneuver, testicular hypotrophy, overt varicocele, varicosities in the pampiniform plexus