Epididymitis and the Seminal Vesicles

The Epididymitis Foundation was sent the following abstract via e-mail:

Krishnan R, Heal MR: Study of the seminal vesicles in acute epididymitis. British Journal of Urology. 1991 Jun;67(6):632-7.
Department of Urology, Leighton Hospital, Crewe.

Although it has been suggested that seminal vesiculitis is present in patients with epididymitis, it has not been proven. We performed rectal ultrasound assessment of the seminal vesicles in 18 consecutive patients with epididymitis. The seminal vesicles on the same side as the epididymitis was significantly enlarged in 75% of cases; 92% of these enlarged vesicles returned to normal size in 12 weeks. A persistently enlarged seminal vesicle was associated with unresolved epididymitis, and further bacteriological studies in these cases demonstrated continued Chlamydia infection in some patients over 35 years of age.

The ideas mentioned in the study above should followed-up with further studies and efforts to cure people, but because there has been no organization for epididymitis until now, little has been done. We can do more.

The Epididymitis Foundation hopes to become a driving force for more research.

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Written October 9, 2004 for the Epididymitis Foundation.

Among men with genitourinary complaints, the three most common conditions are urethritis (which accounts for some 200,000 initial office visits each year), epididymitis (600,000 office visits), and prostatitis (approximately two million office visits for genitourinary symptoms--or one fourth of all such visits for men). This article is a review of diagnostic and management strategies for these commonly seen conditions.