Varicocele and high-G

[Guest mtnman]

I am trying to find out how serious a varicocele is when pulling high g-forces. I recently overheard someone talking about his friend who had surgery to fix this same problem before going on to high g force aircraft because of the possibility of it rupturing.

Somehow I have made it through all of my physicals without the doctors noticing that I do in fact have a varicocele (have had it since I was an adolescent). I am very hesitant to go in to the Flt Docs now. How much should I worry about this, and if I go back to a high g force aircraft do I need to get this fixed before going back to the centrifuge? Is it threatening to my career as a pilot.. ie could I lose my wings?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I appreciate any responses or guidance that you can offer.

[ 27. December 2006, 06:48: Message edited by: Toro ]

[Guest F16PilotMD]

High G aircraft don't make a difference. You are not going to "rupture" a vericocele. It may get larger or become painful but I highly doubt it. See below for DQ issues:

A4.22.22. Large or painful left varicocele. Any right varicocele, unless significant underlying pathology has been excluded.

Which side is yours?

[Guest mtnman]

Mine is on the left side and has never been painful. I have had it since I was about 12 years old. Even up to sustained G loads of 7.5 it has never been painful.

[Guest F16PilotMD]

Should not cause you any problems. Don't worry about high-G aircraft.

[Whitman]

Why are right's automatic DQ? just curious

[Guest F16PilotMD]

The return of blood from the left takes a more circuitous route and therefore may set you up for a varicocele. The right, however, is a more "simple" route and if venous congestion occurs here it is possible it can be from a pathologic condition such as a renal cancer. That's the doomsday scenario anyway. Unfortunately, as with many things, this is not absolute and some texts say the exact opposite. Who's correct, I don't know. If it were me, and it was new, I'd check it out regardless of the side.