Presence of Arteriovenous Communication between Left Testicular Vessels and Its Clinical Significance

Maintenance of testicular temperature below body temperature is essential for the process of spermatogenesis. This process of thermoregulation is mainly achieved by testicular veins through pampiniform venous plexus of the testis by absorbing the heat conveyed by the testicular arteries. However, this mechanism of thermoregulation may be hampered if an abnormal communication exists between the testicular vessels. We report herewith a rare case of arteriovenous communication between testicular artery and testicular vein on left side. The calibre of the communicating vessel was almost similar to left testicular artery. Such abnormal communication may obstruct the flow of blood in the vein by causing impairment in the perfusion pressure with the eventual high risk of varicocele. 1. Introduction Testicular arteries are long, slender vessels originating from abdominal aorta slightly below the origin of renal arteries. Testicular arteries reach the deep inguinal ring and pass through spermatic cord in the inguinal canal and finally enter the scrotum to supply testis [1]. Venules draining the testes join in the mediastinum testes to form several veins. In the spermatic cord these veins form the pampiniform plexus—an intercommunicating venous network that surrounds the testicular artery and cools arterial blood before it reaches the testes. The right testicular vein drains into the inferior vena cava and the left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein. Maintaining the suitable temperature for the crucial stages of spermatogenesis is priority of the body. The specialised venous network in the form of pampiniform plexus of the testicular veins allows countercurrent heat exchange with the testicular artery and maintains the thermoregulation. Occasionally there may be parallel collaterals to the gonadal veins at different locations of its extent [2]. Very rarely additional collateral supply can occur from retroperitoneal branches which in turn communicate with contralateral gonadal vein or renal veins [3]. But, the arteriovenous communication between the testicular artery and vein is the rarest of all variations pertaining to the vascular anomalies affecting the gonadal vasculature. We report herewith one such exceptional case with the discussion of possible complications having arteriovenous communication between left testicular vessels. 2. Case Report During routine cadaveric dissection for the undergraduate medical students, we observed a prominent communicating vascular channel between testicular artery and testicular vein on the left side of the male