Spermatocele: Pathologic and Surgical Anatomy

Operations for spermatoceles and hydroceles can cause considerable postoperative swelling, pain, and bleeding. In search of facts which might help lessen such complications, we have made a detailed study of the surgical anatomy and the histology, cytology, and biochemistry in 5 cases of spermatocele.Spermatoceles are usually found in or near the head of the epididymis. They are regarded1 as retention cysts of the ductuli efferentes or less commonly of the vasa aberrantia. Their histology is consistent with such an origin as is their often multilocular and multiple character.1,2 The finding of normal sperm3 in the vas distal to spermatoceles suggests that these cysts may develop in some ductuli efferentes, while others remain patent.The larger lesions may cause testis atrophy or result in enough bulk and local discomfort to warrant their removal. Volumes as great as 2,490 cc. have been reported.1 Most, however, remain small