MEET THE SPECIALISTS TO THE SPECIALISTS
Michael Cumming, MD
Dr. Cumming specializes in varicocele embolization. In his experienced hands, he has a 98% success rate of treating and embolizing the varicocele. In 94% of patients, venous reflux was entirely resolved, and the varicocele disappeared. In addition, 80% of patients reported complete resolution of their testicular pain. Dr. Cumming presented his varicocele embolization techniques at the Global Embolization (GEST) meeting in 2018 and 2019.
PETER BRETZMAN, MD
Dr. Bretzman has over 25 years of experience solving complex medical problems using minimally invasive imaging guided techniques. His focus is finding the most efficient solution for patients.
MEET OUR PATIENTS
Harrison was losing hope. Multiple physicians failed to diagnose his pain, and he desperately wanted answers. That's #WhyVIE
"As a 25-year-old former athlete who loves to stay active, I was worried I would have chronic pain for the rest of my life.
I found VIE and Dr. Michael Cumming after spending 6 months with 5 different physicians, undergoing ultrasounds, physical therapy sessions, and CT scans to try and find the source of my pelvic and testicular pain. I felt cast aside by other doctors. They all seemed to accept that some pain you cannot make go away, but when I showed up at VIE, Dr. Cumming was able to articulate what was causing my pain and that he had seen and helped others with the same issue. The same varicocele that 2 urologists and a surgeon told me was not causing my pain, was actually the culprit. Dr. Cumming's confidence and experience with others who had this pain filled me with hope.
I was excited to have this operation and get back to normal life. However, we ran into issues with my insurance provider who rejected the operation and misfiled paperwork, throwing my case into flux. This is where I got to experience a whole new level of personal care and support. Dr. Cumming and his front office staff, Julie in particular, worked with me to submit appeals and communicate with my insurance provider in order to get the operation approved. They worked after hours to compile medical studies supporting the case, and they stuck with it for 4 months, exhausting all appeals and keeping me updated throughout the process. When it became clear that my insurance was working against me, rather than for me, and would not approve the operation, I told Dr. Cumming I still wanted to proceed. It was so apparent how much they cared about helping me with my pain, and were going to do whatever they could.
Eventually, I was able to have the operation, and 10 days later, I was back to lifting weights 6 days a week and playing basketball 3 days a week. Dr. Cumming is not just a master of his craft, he also has the personal touch. I had basically given up, and now I have no pain and have been able to resume a life that I thought I had lost. VIE has restored my faith in the medical field."
UNDERSTANDING VARICOCELES
HOW IS VARICOCLE EMBOLIZATION PERFORMED?
Through a small incision, a catheter is guided into the veins supplying the varicocele. Then, the abnormal veins are eliminated through a procedure called embolization. The procedure typically takes less than 45 minutes, in a comfortable setting. Patients typically return to work or school the next day and are often back to complete normal activity within a couple of days.
AM I A VARICOCELE EMBOLIZATION CANDIDATE?
If you are experiencing pain caused by your varicocele, have infertility issues due to low sperm count or abnormal sperm, or have future fertility concerns, you are a candidate for this highly safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR VISIT:
- CONSULTATION: Symptom review and health history discussion.
- IMAGING: Prior to your procedure we often perform ultrasound imaging.
- TREATMENT PLAN: After a comprehensive review of symptoms, exams and imaging enable Dr. Cumming and Dr. Bretzman to provide definitive treatment recommendations. Patients can then choose their preferred option.