BACKGROUND: A retrospective review was carried out to evaluate the clinical presentation of children with epididymal cysts (EC) and outcome of management at our institution. METHODS: There were 49 patients with EC in this series. The diagnosis of EC was made by physical examination and confirmed by ultrasound (US). RESULTS: The average age at presentation was 10.7 years (2 months-16 years). Scrotal mass (n: 22) and pain (n: 21) were the most frequent symptoms. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. The cysts were solitary in 32 patients and multiple in 10 patients. The mean value of cysts was 6.7 mm (2-20 mm). The cyst localisations were 22 in left, 16 in right, and bilateral in 4 patients. Complete involution of cysts was detected in 14 children. The average involution time was 11.2 months (1-37 months). In 20 cases, a decrease in cyst size was found. Cyst excision was performed in 8 patients with persistent scrotal pain or no cyst involution observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Conservative management of epididymal cysts is practical. However, surgical excision is recommended in patients with intractable scrotal pain or if the cyst size does not seem to involute.
BACKGROUND: A retrospective review was carried out to evaluate the clinical presentation of children with epididymal cysts (EC) and outcome of management at our institution. METHODS: There were 49 patients with EC in this series. The diagnosis of EC was made by physical examination and confirmed by ultrasound (US). RESULTS: The average age at presentation was 10.7 years (2 months-16 years). Scrotal mass (n: 22) and pain (n: 21) were the most frequent symptoms. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. The cysts were solitary in 32 patients and multiple in 10 patients. The mean value of cysts was 6.7 mm (2-20 mm). The cyst localisations were 22 in left, 16 in right, and bilateral in 4 patients. Complete involution of cysts was detected in 14 children. The average involution time was 11.2 months (1-37 months). In 20 cases, a decrease in cyst size was found. Cyst excision was performed in 8 patients with persistent scrotal pain or no cyst involution observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Conservative management of epididymal cysts is practical. However, surgical excision is recommended in patients with intractable scrotal pain or if the cyst size does not seem to involute.