Sometimes a testicle is not seen in adults on imaging - a condition called postpubertal cryptorchidism. This could be due to the testicle not forming prior to birth (congenital) or because the testicle never descended into the scrotum and slowly shrank in size (atrophied). Postpubertal cryptorchidism is associated with lower fertility, impaired hormone function and an increased risk of testicular cancer.
Inclusion cysts are mucus collections that form a sac. Sometimes these cysts can rupture and release blood, known as hemorrhagic cysts. Proteinaceous cyst refers to a cyst with a thicker protein fluid inside. Inclusion cysts can be caused by childbirth or minor physical trauma. They are benign (non-cancerous) and are usually asymptomatic (do not cause symptoms), but sometimes can be the cause of pain or a bothersome feeling of fullness in the vagina.
Epidermal inclusion cysts are the most common cysts that affect the skin. Most epidermal inclusion cysts form when the cells from the surface of the skin (epidermis) move deeper into the skin and multiply rather than slough off. They often occur in areas where hair follicles have been inflamed and are common in conjunction with acne.Epidermal inclusion cysts can occur anywhere on the body and typically present as skin-colored nodules that are non-cancerous. The size ranges from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Nodules may remain stable and painless or progressively enlarge. Spontaneous inflammation and rupture can occur, with involvement of surrounding skin.
An epididymal cyst is a fluid collection in the epididymis, which is a long coiled tube that is above and behind the testicle and where sperm mature. An epididymal cyst may be felt as a soft round mass in this area. A cyst that is larger than 2 cm is called a spermatocele. The exact cause of epididymal cysts is unknown. These cysts usually do not cause symptoms and do not require further monitoring or treatment.
Inflammation of the seminal vesicles is most commonly caused by an infection and is often associated with concurrent infection elsewhere in the male genital tract. It is usually acute, but can be chronic. Risk factors for inflammation of the seminal vesicles include chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body), and acute epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis, the tube located at the back of the testicles that stores and carries sperm).The spectrum of symptoms of seminal vesicle inflammation is broad and includes ejaculatory dysfunction (e.g. painful ejaculation, decreased ejaculate volume), infertility, pain (e.g. pelvic, flank, abdominal, groin), abdominal swelling, hematuria (blood in the urine) and pneumaturia (the passage of gas or “air” in the urine).
Hematospermia, the term used to describe the presence of blood in the semen, is an uncommon condition. While it is usually alarming to individuals, the condition typically resolves spontaneously. The cause is almost always benign (non-cancerous) and often no clear cause can be identified, which can make it a challenging condition. It can manifest as a single episode or recur over the course of weeks to months. Known causes include, but are not limited to, following radiation treatment for prostate cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and bleeding from blood thinners. In individuals over 40 with hematospermia, genitourinary cancers (i.e. prostate, seminal vesicles) should be considered, but the rate of such cancers is low, even after long-term follow-up.
