111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Varicocele Embolization at Medex Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Queens offers a scar-free, same-day fix for painful or fertility-threatening scrotal varicose veins. Medex DTC board-certified interventional radiologists thread a micro-catheter through a tiny wrist or groin puncture, seal the faulty vein with coils or medical glue, and send you home in about two hours—no general anesthesia, minimal discomfort, and faster return to work and workouts, all handled under one Forest Hills roof with on-site ultrasound, lab tests, and insurance coordination. Schedule an appointment today!
Varicocele Embolization (also called endovascular varicocele repair) is a catheter-based procedure performed by an interventional radiologist (IR). Through a 2-3 mm puncture in the wrist (radial access) or groin (femoral access), a micro-catheter is navigated into the gonadal vein under fluoroscopy. Tiny coils, liquid glue, or sclerosant foam are then deployed to block venous reflux, collapsing the varicocele while preserving healthy arterial blood flow to the testis.
A varicocele is an abnormal dilation of the pampiniform plexus veins in the scrotum, analogous to a “varicose vein” in the leg. Population studies place overall prevalence at 15 %–20 % of adult males and a striking 40 % of men evaluated for infertility. Male-factor infertility is implicated in more than half of the 70 million couples worldwide who struggle to conceive, making varicocele the single most common correctable cause. In the United States, varicocele-related care (surgery, imaging, time off work, fertility treatments) is estimated to exceed $500 million per year in direct and indirect costs.
Until the mid-1990s, open or laparoscopic varicocelectomy was the only definitive therapy. While effective, surgery requires general anesthesia, carries a small risk of hydrocele or artery injury, and typically sidelines patients from exercise and sexual activity for 4–6 weeks. VE emerged as a minimally invasive, fertility-preserving alternative that eliminates surgical scars, shortens recovery to 48–72 hours, and can be repeated if new collaterals form—an advantage over ligation.
| Candidate Profile | Why VE Helps | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men with abnormal semen analysis (low count, motility, or morphology) | Reverses heat-induced oxidative stress and venous stasis | DNA-fragmentation index (DFI) dropped 7.6 % 3 months post-VE; pregnancy achieved in 55 % of couples within a year pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |
| Couples with unexplained infertility where male partner has a palpable varicocele | Raises chances of natural conception before IVF | AUA/ASRM 2023 guideline endorses varicocele repair when semen parameters are abnormal and the couple desires pregnancy auanet.orgauanet.org |
| Adolescents with asymmetric testicular volume | Prevents future atrophy and hormonal deficits | Prospective cohorts show catch-up growth in 80 % of treated teens |
| Men with chronic scrotal pain unresponsive to NSAIDs | Relieves venous hypertension and neural irritation | Clinical pain–relief rate ~70 %–80 % pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govwjmh.org |
| Postsurgical recurrence or bilateral disease | Catheter can reach collaterals above previous clip/ligation | VE technical success is unaffected by prior surgery provider.healthybluenc.com |
Contra-indications include uncorrected coagulopathy, renal insufficiency precluding iodinated contrast, or absence of reflux on Valsalva ultrasonography.
Average procedure time is 30–45 minutes, even for bilateral disease.
| Role | Expertise |
|---|---|
| Interventional Radiologist | Catheter navigation, embolic choice, peri-procedural management |
| Urologist or Andrologist | Initial varicocele diagnosis, semen-analysis interpretation, long-term fertility follow-up |
| Reproductive Endocrinologist | Coordinates assisted-reproduction timelines if needed |
| Anesthesiologist / CRNA | Conscious or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) |
| Diagnostic Sonographer | Baseline and follow-up Doppler to document reflux resolution |
Close IR–urology collaboration ensures proper patient selection and seamless handoff for fertility counseling.
| Outcome Metric | 3 Months | 12 Months | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical success | 92 – 100 % | — | — |
| Pain-relief rate | 65 % | 75 – 80 % | 75 % |
| Pregnancy (natural + ART) | 22 % | 45 – 55 % | 60 % |
| Mean sperm-count increase | +9 million/mL | +13 million/mL | Sustained |
| Recurrence / re-intervention | 5 % | 7 – 10 % | 12 % |
| Major complications | < 1 % | — | — |
Notably, modern glue or coil-plus-foam techniques virtually eliminate serious events such as testicular atrophy or deep-vein thrombosis.
| Feature | VE | Microsurgical Varicocelectomy | Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Local + IV sedation | General or spinal | General |
| Incisions | None (2 mm puncture) | 2–3 cm inguinal | 3 abdominal ports |
| Return to Desk Work | 1–2 days | 7 days | 7–10 days |
| Post-op Scrotal Pain | Mild for 24–48 h | Moderate 3–5 days | Similar |
| Scar | None | Small inguinal | Multiple 5 mm scars |
| Recurrence | 5–10 % | 2–9 % | 10–15 % |
| Hydrocele Risk | < 1 % | 4–7 % | 7–10 % |
| Cost (U.S.) | ≈ $5.6 K average | $4.8–8.6 K | $5–15 K |
VE thus rivals microsurgery in efficacy while beating surgery on recovery time, cosmesis, and hydrocele risk.
| Adverse Event | Incidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hematoma / bruising | 3 % | Self-limited |
| Post-embolization orchalgia | 10 % | Resolves < 1 week |
| Non-target embolization | < 0.5 % | Avoided with cone-beam CT mapping |
| Coil migration | < 0.1 % | Rare with modern devices |
| Testicular atrophy | Zero cases in > 3,500-patient meta-analysis |
Overall, VE boasts one of the lowest major-complication rates in interventional radiology.
Is varicocele embolization painful?
Only mild pressure during contrast injection; post-procedure soreness is similar to a minor muscle strain and fades in 24–48 hours.
Can I lift weights afterward?
Avoid heavy lifting for 5 days to allow the puncture site to seal, then return to full workouts.
Will the varicocele come back?
Recurrence is under 10 %, largely due to new collateral veins. Repeat VE is straightforward if needed.
Does VE affect testosterone?
Multiple studies report a 10 %–20 % rise in serum testosterone 3–6 months after successful embolization.
How soon can we try for pregnancy?
Sperm quality starts improving at 3 months; most fertility specialists recommend active conception efforts at that point.
Is VE safe for teenagers?
Yes—society guidelines endorse treatment for adolescents with testicular asymmetry ≥ 20 % or persistent pain.
What materials are used?
Options include platinum coils, cyanoacrylate glue, or polidocanol foam. Choice depends on vein anatomy, IR preference, and recurrence-risk profile.
Medex is a multi-specialty clinic with 24-hour urgent care, primary care, and more than 30 board-certified specialists, including podiatry, cardiology, dermatology, pain management, gynecology, and physical therapy. Each department works under one roof for seamless referrals.
Yes. Every Medex doctor is board-certified in their specialty, undergoes peer review, and participates in ongoing CME (continuing medical education). Credentials are listed on our Meet the Doctors page.
Absolutely. Our Queens urgent care clinic is open for walk-in patients with minor injuries or sudden illnesses. You can also save time by reserving a same-day slot online.
Medex accepts all major commercial carriers plus Medicare, Medicaid, HIP, EmblemHealth, MetroPlus, Fidelis, and GHI. For specific coverage questions, call (718) 275-8900 or visit our Insurance page.
Use our secure online booking portal, call (718) 275-8900, or log in to the Patient Portal to reschedule.
Yes—most primary care and follow-up visits can be conducted via HIPAA-compliant video. Sign the Telemedicine Consent Form and choose “Virtual” when booking.
Yes. Our No-Fault Doctor Queens team handles car- accident injuries, and our Workers’ Comp Clinic manages job-related injuries and paperwork.
We’re at 111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375—steps from the Forest Hills–71 Av subway station (E, F, M, R lines). A paid garage is next door and metered street parking surrounds the building.
We follow HIPAA privacy rules, store EHR data on encrypted servers, and require two-factor authentication for staff access. You may request records through our ChartRequest portal.
Adults in good health should schedule an annual physical. Patients managing chronic conditions may need follow-ups every 3–6 months; your doctor will advise a personalized schedule.
For safety, we require an active chart and a visit within the past 12 months (3 months for controlled substances). Ask your pharmacy to send an electronic refill request or message us through the Patient Portal.
Last reviewed: June 1, 2025.
Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center
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