F. H. Comhaire Many diseases were, at the beginning, merely defined by the description of their clinical appearance. Next, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the diseases were recognized. Since then, the proof of presence of the pathogenic agent or agents has been required to confirm the diagnosis. However, it sometimes happens that the pathogenic agent can be demonstrated without the disease being clinically evident. Confusion arising from this observation may cause endless, often purely emotional discussions between "believers" and "non-believers". Moreover, if the disease involves potential disturbance of male fertility, the problem is further obscured by the difficulty of defining man's fertility. Indeed, during the short history of andrology, the criteria for judging a man and his ejaculate as potentially fertile or infertile have repeatedly changed. Andrological "landmarks" in general do not hold up for long, and some scientists continue to set themselves the task of proving the "old" definitions invalid. Certainly, such developments are necessary to make science more exact and to improve medical care. However, while this research is being done, the male partners of barren marriages continue to seek advice and treatment. Common sense and an empirical approach in the handling of these cases may result in obviously encouraging results, which non-believers will ascribe to "witchcraft" and believers will see as confirmation of their opinions.

Introduction.

I. Physiopathology
New Concepts in Pathogenesis and Treatment of Varicocele.
Induced Varicocele in an Animal Model and Comparisons with Clinical Patients.
Histological and Enzyme-Histochemical Studies on Varicocele Orchiopathy.
Ultrastructural Study of Human Testicular Biopsies in Varicocele.
Physiopathology of Testicular Dysfunction in Variococele: Does Varicocele Exist without Reflux in the Internal Spermatic Vein?.
Are There Different Types of Varicocele?.
II. Diagnosis
The Doppler Assessment of Varicoceles.
Doppler Test and Scrotal Thermography in Variococele.
Scrotal Scintigraphy Vs Scrotal Thermography: A Comparison of Scrotal Imaging Techniques for the Diagnosis of Varicocele.
Detection of Varicocele by Isotopic Angiography.
Comparison of Four Different Methods for the Diagnosis of Varicocele.
Varicoceles Combined with Other Fertility Disturbances: The Use of Kallikrein as a Diagnostic Test.
III. Therapy
A Short Historical Review and Comparative Results of Surgical Treatment for Varicocele.
Treatment of Varicocele by Transcatheter Embolization with Bucrylate.
Percutaneous Sclerosation of the Testicular Vein Using a Ballon Catheter.
Effects of Varicocelectomy on Spermatogenesis.
Varicocele: Changes in the Anatomy of Venous Reflux After Ligation.
The Value of HCG After Varicocelectomy in Severely Oligospermic Men.
The Influence of Superimposed Male and Female Factors of Infertility on the Prognosis of Spermatic Vein Ligation in Varicocele.
Multicenter-Compiled Results of Pregnancies After Non-Surgical Cure of Varicocele..