Spermatocele
Encyclopedia
Spermatocele is a retention
cyst
of a tubule
of the rete testis
or the head of the epididymis
distended with barely watery fluid that contains spermatozoa. Spermatoceles are the most common cyst
ic condition encountered within the scrotum
. They vary in size from several millimeters to many centimeters. Spermatoceles are generally not painful. However, some men may experience discomfort from larger spermatoceles.
. They may also be discovered by self-inspection of the scrotum
and testicles.
Finding a painless, cyst
ic mass at the head of the epididymis
, that transilluminates and can be clearly differentiated from the testicle
, is generally sufficient. If uncertainty exists, ultrasonography of the scrotum
can confirm if it is spermatocele.
Consult a urologist.
s are best left alone, as are larger cyst
s that are an asymptomatic condition. Only when the cyst
s are causing discomfort and are enlarging in size, or the patient wants the spermatocele removed, should a spermatocelectomy
be considered. Pain may persist even after removal.
Spermatocelectomy
can be performed on an outpatient basis, with the use of local or general anesthesia
.
A spermatocelectomy
will not improve fertility
.
Retention
Retention may refer to:* Retention, in learning, the ability to retain facts and figures in memory ** Selective retention* Cultural retention* Customer retention...
cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
of a tubule
Tubule
A tubule is a very small tube or fistular structure.A system of surface-connected membranes in muscle that enables a nerve impulse to travel to the interior of the muscle fibre.In anatomy, a tubule is a minute tube lined with glandular epithelium....
of the rete testis
Rete testis
Rete testis is an anastomosing network of delicate tubules located in the hilum of the testicle that carries sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the vasa efferentia....
or the head of the epididymis
Epididymis
The epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
distended with barely watery fluid that contains spermatozoa. Spermatoceles are the most common cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
ic condition encountered within the scrotum
Scrotum
In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
. They vary in size from several millimeters to many centimeters. Spermatoceles are generally not painful. However, some men may experience discomfort from larger spermatoceles.
Aetiology
- Spermatoceles can originate as diverticulumDiverticulumA diverticulum is medical or biological term for an outpouching of a hollow structure in the body. Depending upon which layers of the structure are involved, they are described as being either true or false....
from the tubules found in the head of the epididymisEpididymisThe epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
. SpermSpermatozoonA spermatozoon is a motile sperm cell, or moving form of the haploid cell that is the male gamete. A spermatozoon joins an ovum to form a zygote...
formation gradually causes the diverticulumDiverticulumA diverticulum is medical or biological term for an outpouching of a hollow structure in the body. Depending upon which layers of the structure are involved, they are described as being either true or false....
to increase in size, causing a spermatocele. They are due to continuity between the epididymis and tunica vaginalisTunica vaginalisThe tunica vaginalis is the serous covering of the testis.It is a pouch of serous membrane, derived from the processus vaginalis of the peritoneum, which in the fetus preceded the descent of the testis from the abdomen into the scrotum....
. - They are also believed to result from epididymitisEpididymitisEpididymitis is a medical condition in which there is inflammation of the epididymis . This condition comprises gradual onset of testicular pain that can vary from mild to severe, and the scrotum may become red, warm and swollen...
or physical traumaPhysical traumaTrauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
. ScarScarScars are areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin after injury. A scar results from the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. With the exception of very minor lesions, every wound results in...
ring, of any part of the epididymisEpididymisThe epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
, can cause it to become obstructed and may form a spermatocele.
Diagnosis
Spermatoceles can be discovered as incidental scrotal masses found on physical examination by a physicianPhysician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. They may also be discovered by self-inspection of the scrotum
Scrotum
In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
and testicles.
Finding a painless, cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
ic mass at the head of the epididymis
Epididymis
The epididymis is part of the male reproductive system and is present in all male amniotes. It is a narrow, tightly-coiled tube connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. A similar, but probably non-homologous, structure is found in cartilaginous...
, that transilluminates and can be clearly differentiated from the testicle
Testicle
The testicle is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testes are components of both the reproductive system and the endocrine system...
, is generally sufficient. If uncertainty exists, ultrasonography of the scrotum
Scrotum
In some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
can confirm if it is spermatocele.
Consult a urologist.
Treatment
Small cystCyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
s are best left alone, as are larger cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
s that are an asymptomatic condition. Only when the cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
s are causing discomfort and are enlarging in size, or the patient wants the spermatocele removed, should a spermatocelectomy
Spermatocelectomy
A spermatocelectomy is a surgical procedure performed to separate the epididymis from the spermatocele. The patient is given an anesthetic in the groin and a small incision is made into the scrotum. The surgeon pulls the testicle and epididymis to the incision and separates the spermatocele by...
be considered. Pain may persist even after removal.
Spermatocelectomy
Spermatocelectomy
A spermatocelectomy is a surgical procedure performed to separate the epididymis from the spermatocele. The patient is given an anesthetic in the groin and a small incision is made into the scrotum. The surgeon pulls the testicle and epididymis to the incision and separates the spermatocele by...
can be performed on an outpatient basis, with the use of local or general anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
.
A spermatocelectomy
Spermatocelectomy
A spermatocelectomy is a surgical procedure performed to separate the epididymis from the spermatocele. The patient is given an anesthetic in the groin and a small incision is made into the scrotum. The surgeon pulls the testicle and epididymis to the incision and separates the spermatocele by...
will not improve fertility
Fertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
.
See also
- diverticulumDiverticulumA diverticulum is medical or biological term for an outpouching of a hollow structure in the body. Depending upon which layers of the structure are involved, they are described as being either true or false....
- epididymitisEpididymitisEpididymitis is a medical condition in which there is inflammation of the epididymis . This condition comprises gradual onset of testicular pain that can vary from mild to severe, and the scrotum may become red, warm and swollen...
- hydroceleHydroceleA hydrocoele denotes a pathological accumulation of serous fluid in a body cavity. It can also be noted as a minor malformation of newborns due to high levels of lead in the mother's blood during pregnancy....
- orchitisOrchitisOrchitis or orchiditis is a condition of the testes involving inflammation. It can also involve swelling and frequent infection.-Symptoms:Symptoms of orchitis are similar to those of testicular torsion...
- rete tubular ectasiaRete tubular ectasiaRete tubular ectasia is a benign condition, usually found in older men, involving numerous small tubular cystic structures within the rete testis.-Diagnosis:...
- testicular torsionTesticular torsionTesticular torsion is when the spermatic cord to a testicle twists, cutting off the blood supply. The most common symptom is acute testicular pain and the most common underlying cause is a congenital malformation known as a "bell-clapper deformity". The diagnosis is often made clinically but if it...
- tumorTumorA tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
- varicoceleVaricoceleVaricocele , also known as varicoscele or varicose seal, is an abnormal enlargement of the vein that is in the scrotum draining the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis...