Epididymal cyst

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Epididymal cyst
Epididymal cysts.jpg
Epidydymal cyst (benign tumor)
Specialty Urology
Symptoms Scrotal mass and pain. [1]
Diagnostic method Ultrasound. [2]

Epididymal cyst is a harmless sac in the testicles filled with fluid. [2] The most frequent clinical presentation occurs when a routine physical examination yields an unexpected finding, which is then confirmed by scrotal ultrasonography. [1] Although the exact cause of epididymal cysts is unknown, it is likely a congenital anomaly associated with hormonal imbalances during the embryonic stage of development. [3]

Contents

Signs and symptoms

An epididymal cyst, a benign cystic fluid collection in the scrotum, usually manifests as a painless swelling on top of the testicle and can be inadvertently discovered during a physical examination. [2] The most typical clinical findings are a scrotal mass and pain. [1]

Causes

The exact cause of an epididymal cyst is unknown, but it is most likely a congenital anomaly associated with hormonal imbalances during embryonic life. [3] Previous research has shown a correlation between the development of epididymal cysts and maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting substances like diethylstilbestrol during male fetal development. [4] [5] It has been determined that the causes of epididymal cysts in children are vasal or epididymal obstruction and environmental endocrine disruptors. [6] [7] There has also been a suggestion that the testicular dysgenesis syndrome may include an epididymal cyst. [8]

Diagnosis

An ultrasound is used to confirm 20–30% of epididymal cysts that are found during a physical examination. [2]

Treatment

An epididymal cyst usually resolves on its own over time and doesn't need to be surgically removed. [2] Nonetheless, patients who experience excruciating scrotal pain or whose cyst size does not appear to be involuted are advised to have their epididymal cysts surgically removed. [3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Homayoon, Kaveh; Suhre, Chris D.; Steinhardt, George F. (2004). "Epididymal Cysts in Children: Natural History". Journal of Urology. 171 (3): 1274–1276. doi:10.1097/01.ju.0000110322.87053.99. ISSN   0022-5347. PMID   14767330.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Boscarelli, Alessandro; Bellini, Tommaso (2021). "Epididymal cyst in children". European Journal of Pediatrics. 180 (9): 2723–2729. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04080-5. ISSN   0340-6199. PMID   33851241. S2CID   233225219.
  3. 1 2 3 Erikci, Volkan; Hoşgör, Münevver; Aksoy, Nail; Okur, Özkan; Yildiz, Melih; Dursun, Ahmet; Demircan, Yusuf; Örnek, Yilmazcan; Genişol, İncinur (2013). "Management of epididymal cysts in childhood". Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 48 (10). Elsevier BV: 2153–2156. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.01.058. ISSN   0022-3468. PMID   24094972.
  4. ↑ Gill, W.R.; Schumacher, G.F.B.; Bibbo, M. (1977). "Pathological Seman and Anatomical Abnormalities of the Genital Tract in Human Male Subjects Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol in Utero". Journal of Urology. 117 (4). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health): 477–480. doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)58502-x. ISSN   0022-5347. PMID   850321.
  5. ↑ McLachlan, J. A. (1977). "Prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol in mice: Toxicological studies". Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. 2 (3). Informa UK Limited: 527–537. Bibcode:1977JTEH....2..527M. doi:10.1080/15287397709529453. ISSN   0098-4108. PMID   846001.
  6. ↑ Jarvis, LJ; Dubbins, PA (March 1, 1989). "Changes in the epididymis after vasectomy: sonographic findings". American Journal of Roentgenology. 152 (3). American Roentgen Ray Society: 531–534. doi:10.2214/ajr.152.3.531. ISSN   0361-803X. PMID   2644777.
  7. ↑ Skakkebæk, Niels E. (2002). "Endocrine Disrupters and Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome". Hormone Research in Paediatrics. 57 (2). S. Karger AG: 43. doi:10.1159/000058100. ISSN   1663-2818. PMID   12065926.
  8. ↑ Skakkebæk, N.E.; Rajpert-De Meyts, E.; Main, K.M. (2001). "Testicular dysgenesis syndrome: an increasingly common developmental disorder with environmental aspects: Opinion". Human Reproduction. 16 (5). Oxford University Press (OUP): 972–978. doi:10.1093/humrep/16.5.972. ISSN   1460-2350. PMID   11331648.

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