[Testicular epidermoid cyst: limits of conservative surgery. Report of 16 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To define the clinical criteria and complementary investigation results allowing conservative surgery for epidermoid cysts of the testis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

16 patients with epidermoid cyst were managed in our department. Assessment of each patient included clinical examination, tumour marker assay and imaging (scrotal ultrasound in 16 cases and MRI in 2 cases). All patients were operated via an inguinal incision with primary clamping of the cord. No patient was lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

Tumourectomy was performed in 3 patients after frozen section histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst. No disease progression was observed with a mean follow-up of 57 months (range: 3 to 108 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative surgery for epidermoid cyst is possible on the basis of precise criteria: typical ultrasound (or MRI) image, size less than 2 centimetres, normal tumour marker assays, frozen section histological examination confirming the diagnosis.