Infertility and contraception: non-reducing right varicocele: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Infertility and contraception: non-reducing right varicocele

Sample item

A 35-year-old infertile man has a right-sided varicocele that does not empty when he lies down. What should be done?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Imaging of the retroperitoneum for an obstructing mass

Varicoceles are usually left sided. A right-sided or non-reducing varicocele suggests obstruction of venous drainage, for example by a retroperitoneal or renal tumour, so abdominal imaging is needed before treating it as a fertility problem.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate microsurgical varicocelectomy

    Surgery without exclusion of a mass could miss a malignancy.

  • B. Imaging of the retroperitoneum for an obstructing mass (correct)

    Correct. An isolated or non-reducing right varicocele may be secondary to a retroperitoneal mass.

  • C. Repeat scrotal Doppler in one year

    Delaying imaging risks missing a treatable obstructing tumour.

  • D. Reassurance as a normal variant

    A right varicocele is not a normal variant that needs only reassurance.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Imaging of the retroperitoneum for an obstructing mass. Varicoceles are usually left sided.

Why is "Immediate microsurgical varicocelectomy" not the answer?

Surgery without exclusion of a mass could miss a malignancy.

Why is "Repeat scrotal Doppler in one year" not the answer?

Delaying imaging risks missing a treatable obstructing tumour.

Why is "Reassurance as a normal variant" not the answer?

A right varicocele is not a normal variant that needs only reassurance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infertility and contraception: non-reducing right varicocele in OBG. A right-sided or non-reducing varicocele suggests obstruction of venous drainage, for example by a retroperitoneal or renal tumour, so abdominal imaging is needed before treating it as a fertility problem.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infertility and contraception: non-reducing right varicocele?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.