Epididymal Cysts: Are They Associated With Infertility?

Structured Examination of the Scrotum and Penis

Primary care pediatricians, family practitioners, and primary care advanced practice clinicians frequently need to examine male adolescent genitalia as part of a comprehensive physical examination. Although this part of the examination may be uncomfortable for clinicians, taking a structured approach to the examination can mitigate clinicians' apprehension as well as enhance their ability to use this evaluation to identify potential pathology for the patient. Familiarity with the male genitourinary examination will also allow clinicians to definitively identify medical urgencies and emergencies for timely intervention. This review will provide the clinician with a structured approach to the male genitourinary examination while highlighting common pathology that may be encountered during the examination. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(1):e5-e9.].

Benign Scrotal Tumor in a Pediatric Patient: Epididymal Cyst

A pediatric patient of 12 years consulted for a left scrotal mass of 2 months of evolution. After suspecting a cystic content due to positive transillumination, on ultrasonography a scrotal cyst separated from the testis, of 5 cm in its maximum length, was confirmed. Due to size, parental anxiety, and the referred short evolution, excision was decided. Given the clinical radiological findings, a scrotal incision was chosen, obtaining complete excision. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of simple epididymal cyst (EC). ECs usually present as painless, scrotal swelling in adolescents as a result of dilatation of the efferent epididymal tubules. Many cases (up to 60%) regress spontaneously. In these, average time to involute ranges from 4 to 50 months. Although cases of cyst torsion have been described (with pain derived from ischemia and inflammation), conservative management has been suggested in the majority, both in pediatric and in adult series. Surgery is recommended in some patients, due to testicular pain or increased paratesticular mass, as was our case.