Cysts of the tunica albuginea. Report of 4 cases and review of the literature.
Four cases of benign testicular cysts arising from the tunica albuginea are reported. A review of the literature yielded only 4 more instances of such lesions. Clinically, these cysts may be manifested as a tumor or painful swelling, or are discovered incidentally. In 3 cases a diagnosis of testicular carcinoma was entertained and high inguinal orchiectomies were done. The possibility of a conservative surgical approach, as followed in 1 case, is discussed. These cysts appear in the anterior and lateral aspects of the testis, show ample connection to the albuginea and are lined by a cuboidal epithelium. Gland-like inclusion were found in the fibrous cystic walls and in the albuginea. The histogenesis of these lesions is discussed and evidence for a possible origin in mesothelial rests trapped during development is presented. The differential diagnosis of cystic lesion of the tests is reviewd briefly.
D000368:Aged; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*