EPIDERMOID CYSTS OF THE TESTIS - ORGAN-PRESERVING SURGERY FOLLOWING DIAGNOSIS BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Epidermoid cysts of the testes are rare, benign tumours that can be visualised by high frequency ultrasonographic transducers. Their echo patterns are characteristic but not pathognomonic, so that inguinal exposure of the testis is required to confirm the diagnosis. However, sonography facilitates the planning of surgery, since excision of the tumour can be performed in an organ-preserving manner. In 6 patients with epidermoid cysts treated in this way between 1986 and 1989, no recurrence was seen during a mean follow-up period of 37 months.