Prevalence of epididymal, seminal vesicle, prostate, and testicular cysts in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Objectives. To assess the prevalence of cysts in the epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and testes of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and determine their clinical significance. Extrarenal cystic involvement is a well-known manifestation of ADPKD. Although a few reports exist about cysts in the epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and testes, the true prevalence of cysts in these organs is not well known. Methods. A prospective study, consisting of 104 male patients and 62 male controls, was designed at three medical centers to evaluate the prevalence of epididymal, seminal vesicle, prostatic, and testicular cysts in patients with ADPKD by abdominal, transrectal, and scrotal ultrasound examinations. Results. Among the 104 patients, epididymal cysts were present in 19 (18%), seminal vesicle cysts were present in 41 (39%), and prostatic cysts were present in 7 patients (7%); the proportion in the control group was 24% (P>0.05), 2% (P<0.01), and 5% (P>0.05), respectively. Testicular cysts were detected in only 3 control patients. Of the 104 patients, 96 were married, and primary infertility was present in 5 patients (5%). Conclusions. We suggest that seminal vesicle cysts are frequent in ADPKD; epididymal cysts are not uncommon in ADPKD, but the frequency is not higher than in the control group; ADPKD should be looked for in patients with seminal vesicle cysts; and additional studies are necessary to evaluate the association between epididymal and seminal vesicle cysts and infertility in patients with ADPKD. (C) 2002, Elsevier Science Inc.