How do you prepare for Varicocele Embolization and what is it like?
The evening before the exam you may not eat or drink anything. You will be instructed which medications you may take in the morning, and when to arrive at the hospital. After registering at the hospital, you will be sent to the Diagnostic Imaging Department, were you will have an intravenous (IV) line placed in your arm. Fluids, antibiotics and anti-nausea medications will be given prior to your procedure. You will then be sent to the Interventional Angiography Suite within the Department of Radiology. Here you will meet doctors (Interventional Radiologist) and nurses/technologist trained in this procedure. You will be given sedation for relaxation and pain, but you will be conscious during the procedure. First the Radiologist will perform a venogram. A thin tube (catheter) is inserted through a small nick in the skin and threaded through the testicular vein into the scrotum. An x-ray liquid (contrast) is injected to show the abnormal veins. Then tiny coils made of stainless steel or p
