title: Tubular ectasia of the epididymis: a sign of postvasectomy status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find out if "tubular ectasia of the epididymis" is suggestive of postvasectomy status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tubular ectasia of the epididymis is defined as enlargement of the epididymis with multiple interfaces (i.e., a speckled appearance). We found 24 cases exhibiting tubular ectasia of the epididymis over a period of six years. We reviewed the sonographic findings of tubular ectasia of the epididymis and evaluated the prevalence of associated findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 24 patients with tubular ectasia of the epididymis, 16 cases were bilateral, five were right-sided, and three were left-sided. Twenty-one patients had history of vasectomy, of the three remaining cases, 1 had history of inguinal hernia repair, one had prostatitis, and one had undetermined etiology. Associated abnormalities included dilated vas deferens (n = 4), tubular ectasia of the testis (n = 2), large spermatoceles (n = 6), hydrocele (n = 3), and varicocele (n = 4). In 2 cases, spermatic granulomas were suspected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tubular ectasia of the epididymis is suggestive of postvasectomy epididymis. This sonographic feature is helpful in evaluating a patient with scrotal discomfort. However, this sign can also be associated with other causes of vas obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Kousei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishigami
authors.forename: Monzer M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abu-Yousef
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: El-Zein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*