Epidermoid Cyst of the Testicle

Abstract

We describe the case of a 13-year-old boy with testicular epidermoid cyst who presented with a painless testicular mass. Epidermoid cyst of the testis is a benign, non-teratomatous tumor. It is often possible to make the diagnosis preoperatively, combining typical sonographic features with normal biochemical tumor markers. Preoperative diagnosis will allow for testis-sparing surgery and prevent unnecessary orchiectomy.

Figure 1

13-year-old boy with epidermoid cyst of the testicle. A, Longitudinal ultrasound of the left testis demonstrates a well circumscribed heterogeneous mass with a nonshadowing hyperechoic focus in the periphery (arrow) which may represent fat or microscopic calcification. Portions of the mass have a lamellated appearance with concentric rings of alternating echogenicity. B, Color Doppler image through another portion of the mass shows no vascular flow within the lesion.

Figure 2

13-year-old boy with epidermoid cyst of the testicle. Photomicrograph of resected cyst demonstrates keratinized material within the lumen (*). The cyst is lined by squamous epithelium (arrow). Normal seminiferous tubules can also be identified (arrow heads). (Hematoxylin-Eosin, original magnification × 100).