Objectives: To deepen the understanding of patients with seminal vesicle cyst for correct diagnosis and treatment.
Methods: Sixteen patients with seminal vesicle cysts were treated in the period of January 1980-May 2002. Their symptoms, diagnostic results, treatment and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of these patients at diagnosis was 31 years (range 19 - 43). Two patients were associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis. Symptoms included hematospermia in 12 (75%) patients, urinary frequency in 8 (50%), hematuria after ejaculation in 6 (27.5%), perineal malaise in 6 (27.5%), infertility in 3 (13.7%), pain after ejaculation in 3 (13.7%), scrotal pain in 2 (12.5%) and dysuria in 1 (6.3%). Cyst was palpable in 81.3% patients on digital rectal examination. All patients underwent intravenous urography and cystoscopy. Others received ultrasonography, CT scanning, MRI, and vasovesiculography. The size of masses ranged from 3.8 cm x 3.0 cm x 2.6 cm to 9.6 cm x 5.2 cm x 5.0 cm. Final open surgery consisted of vesiculectomy (4 patients) and partial vesiculectomy (12).
Results: Postoperative course was uneventful except in 1 patient with epididymitis. All patients were free of symptoms after open surgery.
Conclusions: Seminal vesicle cysts are rare but should be considered in men with hematospermia and otherwise inexplicable bladder irritation symptoms, perineal discomfort or other genitourinary complaints of unknown etiology. Diagnosis consists of digital rectal examination, transrectal and abdominal ultrasonography, CT scan or MRI. Vesiculectomy and partial vesiculectomy give excellent results.