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Spermatocele

MedGen UID:
20857
•Concept ID:
C0037859
•
Disease or Syndrome
Synonym: Spermatoceles
SNOMED CT: Spermatic cyst (49263001); Spermatocele (49263001)
 
HPO: HP:0033808
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0006977

Definition

A cystic structure arising from the epididymis, rete testis or efferent ductuli. These structures are filled with spermatozoa containing fluid that may be milky. These cysts are usually outside the tunica vaginalis and, as with hydrocele, transluminate easily. [from HPO]

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVSpermatocele

Conditions with this feature

Azoospermia, obstructive, with nephrolithiasis
MedGen UID:
1779119
•Concept ID:
C5542351
•
Disease or Syndrome
Obstructive azoospermia with nephrolithiasis (OAZON) is characterized by male infertility due to obstruction at the head of the epididymis, as well as hypercalciuria and kidney stones (Askari et al., 2019).
See: Condition Record
Azoospermia, obstructive, with nephrolithiasis

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Aspiration and Sclerotherapy: A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Hydroceles and Spermatoceles.
Brockman S, Roadman D, Bajic P, Levine LA
Urology 2022 Jun;164:273-277. Epub 2021 Dec 29 doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2021.12.009. PMID: 34968574
The treatment of obstructive azoospermia in male infertility--past, present, and future.
Takihara H
Urology 1998 May;51(5A Suppl):150-5. doi: 10.1016/s0090-4295(98)00089-2. PMID: 9610572
Implantation of artificial spermatocele with cup-shaped prosthesis for excretory azoospermia and chemical management of aspirated spermatozoa.
Yoshida H, Miyamoto K, Yoshida T, Ogawa H, Imamura K
J Androl 1986 Jul-Aug;7(4):220-3. doi: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.1986.tb00917.x. PMID: 3745009

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Men's Health: Scrotal and Testicular Conditions.
Rew KT, Langan RC, Hadj-Moussa M, Heidelbaugh JJ
FP Essent 2021 Apr;503:23-27. PMID: 33856180
Epidemiology of hydrocele and spermatocele; incidence, treatment and complications.
Lundström KJ, Söderström L, Jernow H, Stattin P, Nordin P
Scand J Urol 2019 Apr-Jun;53(2-3):134-138. Epub 2019 Apr 16 doi: 10.1080/21681805.2019.1600582. PMID: 30990342
Routine pathology evaluation of hydrocele and spermatocele specimens is associated with significant costs and no identifiable benefit.
Shah VS, Nepple KG, Lee DK
J Urol 2014 Oct;192(4):1179-82. Epub 2014 Apr 25 doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.04.085. PMID: 24768992
Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in predicting etiology of azoospermia.
Abdulwahed SR, Mohamed EE, Taha EA, Saleh MA, Abdelsalam YM, ElGanainy EO
Urology 2013 May;81(5):967-71. Epub 2013 Feb 28 doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.01.001. PMID: 23453653
Adult hydrocele and spermatocele.
Rioja J, Sánchez-Margallo FM, Usón J, Rioja LA
BJU Int 2011 Jun;107(11):1852-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10353.x. PMID: 21592287

Diagnosis

Epididymal cyst in children.
Boscarelli A, Bellini T
Eur J Pediatr 2021 Sep;180(9):2723-2729. Epub 2021 Apr 14 doi: 10.1007/s00431-021-04080-5. PMID: 33851241
Epidemiology of hydrocele and spermatocele; incidence, treatment and complications.
Lundström KJ, Söderström L, Jernow H, Stattin P, Nordin P
Scand J Urol 2019 Apr-Jun;53(2-3):134-138. Epub 2019 Apr 16 doi: 10.1080/21681805.2019.1600582. PMID: 30990342
Adult hydrocele and spermatocele.
Rioja J, Sánchez-Margallo FM, Usón J, Rioja LA
BJU Int 2011 Jun;107(11):1852-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10353.x. PMID: 21592287
Benign intrascrotal lesions.
Rubenstein RA, Dogra VS, Seftel AD, Resnick MI
J Urol 2004 May;171(5):1765-72. doi: 10.1097/01.ju.0000123083.98845.88. PMID: 15076274
Testicular masses.
Junnila J, Lassen P
Am Fam Physician 1998 Feb 15;57(4):685-92. PMID: 9490992

Therapy

Aspiration and sclerotherapy of hydroceles and spermatoceles/epididymal cysts with 100% alcohol.
Low LS, Nair SM, Davies AJW, Akapita T, Holmes MA
ANZ J Surg 2020 Jan;90(1-2):57-61. Epub 2019 Oct 18 doi: 10.1111/ans.15467. PMID: 31628703
An Evidence-Based Review of Off-Label Uses of Polidocanol.
Ebrahimi SRS, Enamzadeh E, Babaei H
Curr Clin Pharmacol 2017;12(4):223-230. doi: 10.2174/1574884713666180223121828. PMID: 29473522
Cryptorchidism: medium- and long-term follow-up.
Rossi V, Sartori A, Bordin G, Parolini F, Morandi A, Arnoldi R, Brisighelli G, Leva E, Torricelli EM
Minerva Pediatr 2013 Jun;65(3):261-9. PMID: 23685377
Spermatocele following kidney transplant.
Osband AJ, Laskow DA
Am J Transplant 2012 Jul;12(7):1936-7. Epub 2012 Apr 5 doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2012.04043.x. PMID: 22487000
Retrieval and cryopreservation of sperm from spermatocele fluid.
Fischer MA, Grantmyre JE
Urology 2003 Feb;61(2):417-20. doi: 10.1016/s0090-4295(02)02266-5. PMID: 12597959

Prognosis

Epidemiology of hydrocele and spermatocele; incidence, treatment and complications.
Lundström KJ, Söderström L, Jernow H, Stattin P, Nordin P
Scand J Urol 2019 Apr-Jun;53(2-3):134-138. Epub 2019 Apr 16 doi: 10.1080/21681805.2019.1600582. PMID: 30990342
Epididymal Cysts: Are They Associated With Infertility?
Weatherly D, Wise PG, Mendoca S, Loeb A, Cheng Y, Chen JJ, Steinhardt G
Am J Mens Health 2018 May;12(3):612-616. Epub 2016 Apr 26 doi: 10.1177/1557988316644976. PMID: 27118455Free PMC Article
Routine pathology evaluation of hydrocele and spermatocele specimens is associated with significant costs and no identifiable benefit.
Shah VS, Nepple KG, Lee DK
J Urol 2014 Oct;192(4):1179-82. Epub 2014 Apr 25 doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.04.085. PMID: 24768992
Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in predicting etiology of azoospermia.
Abdulwahed SR, Mohamed EE, Taha EA, Saleh MA, Abdelsalam YM, ElGanainy EO
Urology 2013 May;81(5):967-71. Epub 2013 Feb 28 doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.01.001. PMID: 23453653
Adult hydrocele and spermatocele.
Rioja J, Sánchez-Margallo FM, Usón J, Rioja LA
BJU Int 2011 Jun;107(11):1852-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10353.x. PMID: 21592287

Clinical prediction guides

Aspiration and sclerotherapy of hydroceles and spermatoceles/epididymal cysts with 100% alcohol.
Low LS, Nair SM, Davies AJW, Akapita T, Holmes MA
ANZ J Surg 2020 Jan;90(1-2):57-61. Epub 2019 Oct 18 doi: 10.1111/ans.15467. PMID: 31628703
Modulation of the inflammatory response after sclerotherapy for hydrocoele/spermatocoele.
Jahnson S, Rosell J, Aljabery F
BJU Int 2019 May;123(5A):E63-E68. Epub 2018 Oct 23 doi: 10.1111/bju.14562. PMID: 30253006
Microsurgical Epididymal Cystectomy does not Impact Upon Sperm Count, Motility or Morphology and is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Epididymal Cystic Lesions (ECLs) in Young Men With Fertility Requirements.
Hou Y, Zhang Y, Li G, Wang W, Li H
Urology 2018 Dec;122:97-103. Epub 2018 Aug 22 doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2018.08.007. PMID: 30142407
Epididymal Cysts: Are They Associated With Infertility?
Weatherly D, Wise PG, Mendoca S, Loeb A, Cheng Y, Chen JJ, Steinhardt G
Am J Mens Health 2018 May;12(3):612-616. Epub 2016 Apr 26 doi: 10.1177/1557988316644976. PMID: 27118455Free PMC Article
Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in predicting etiology of azoospermia.
Abdulwahed SR, Mohamed EE, Taha EA, Saleh MA, Abdelsalam YM, ElGanainy EO
Urology 2013 May;81(5):967-71. Epub 2013 Feb 28 doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.01.001. PMID: 23453653

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