What is a spermatocele?
A spermatocele is also called an epididymal cyst. It is a fluid-filled cyst or sac, located above and behind your testicle. It feels like a slightly soft and smooth swelling above your testicle. Generally, it is not a serious medical problem and not cancerous.
What are the causes of spermatoceles?
The causes of spermatoceles are generally unknown. It is possible that obstruction or blockade of tiny tubes that carry sperm inside the epididymis cause spermatoceles. In many cases, spermatoceles occur spontaneously without prior infection or injury.
What are the signs or symptoms of a spermatocele?
A spermatocele may not cause any pain or discomfort especially when it is small. You may notice a soft and smooth swelling above or behind your testicle. When it gets larger, the spermatocele may cause discomfort or dull pain in the scrotum.
How is a spermatocele diagnosed?
A spermatocele is usually found by a testicular self-examination or by a health care provider. Testicular self-examination should be done once a month. Your healthcare provider can show you how to do it. If you notice any unusual firmness or hardness, you should see your healthcare provider right away.
Your healthcare provider can do a transillumination test by shining a light behind the spermatocele. Light will shine through a spermatocele because it contains only fluid. Light will not shine through a solid mass like a tumor or cancer. However, an ultrasound or sonogram (a test using sound waves to see the inside of an organ) is a better and more accurate test to diagnose disease in the scrotum. Ultrasound is a quick, non-painful, and relatively inexpensive test.
How is a spermatocele treated?
If a spermatocele does not cause any pain or discomfort then treatment is not needed. When the spermatocele causes pain or discomfort, anti-inflammatory medication may ease the pain or discomfort. Drugs, however, cannot cure or prevent a spermatocele.
A spermatocele can be aspirated with a needle. After aspiration, an irritating medication (sclerotherapy) can be injected into the spermatocele to try to cause scarring and lower the chance that fluid may build up again. However, these methods are rarely used because they may cause harm to the epididymis and the spermatocele commonly comes back.
Surgical removal of a spermatocele (spermatocelectomy) is usually the recommended treatment for a spermatocele that causes symptoms. This is an outpatient procedure and usually takes less than an hour. It can be done under local or general anesthesia.