Cystic appendix epididymis: a sonomorphologic study

• Published in: Surgical and radiologic anatomy (English ed.) Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 557 - 561
• Main Authors: Kantarci, Fatih, Ozer, Harun, Adaletli, Ibrahim, Mihmanli, Ismail
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.12.2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Epididymis - diagnostic imaging; Epididymis - pathology; Epididymitis - diagnostic imaging; General aspects; Hernia, Inguinal - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Men; Middle Aged; Pain - diagnostic imaging; Prospective Studies; Radiology; Reproductive system; Scrotum - diagnostic imaging; Scrotum - pathology; Spermatic Cord - diagnostic imaging; Spermatic Cord - pathology; Spermatic Cord Torsion - diagnostic imaging; Testicular Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Testis - diagnostic imaging; Testis - pathology; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Varicocele - diagnostic imaging; Sonography; Appendix epididymis; Anatomy; Testicle; Appendix; Testicular appendages; Medicine; Epididymis; Treatment; Surgery; Echography; Cyst; Ultrasonography; Benign neoplasm
• ISSN: 0930-1038; 1279-8517
• DOI: 10.1007/s00276-005-0034-3

We aimed to describe the morphologic characteristics of the appendix epididymis that appears cystic on ultrasound (US) examinations. Two hundred and seventy-two patients (544 testes) were examined by US for various scrotal complaints. The patients were prospectively evaluated for the presence of testicular appendages. Cystic appendix epididymis on US examinations was classified according to the presence of the stalk and size of the cyst. Testicular appendages have been identified in 337 out of 544 testes (61.9%). Of them, 241 were appendix testis (44.3%) and 96 (17.6%) were appendix epididymis. Of the appendix epididymises, 35 were cystic in nature (36.4%). The most common morphology in our study was the stalked appendix epididymis with nonseptated unilocular cysts (31.4%). In conclusion, cystic appearance of the appendix epididymis on sonographic examinations is frequent and it should not be mistaken with a torsed testicular appendage.