Isolated tuberculous epididymitis: A review of fortViswaroop BS, Kekre N, Gopalakrishnan GJ Postgrad Med. 2005 Apr-Jun;51(2):109-11.. Department of Urology, Christian Medical College, Vellore - 632 004, India. uro2@cmcvellore.ac.in. BACKGROUND: Tuberculous epididymitis is one of the causes of chronic epididymal lesions. It is difficult to diagnose in the absence of renal involvement. AIM: To profile isolated tuberculous epididymitis and to assess our approach in the evaluation of this group of patients. SETTING AND DESIGN: Retrospective study done at Christian Medical College, Vellore, South India. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1992 and 2002, 156 fine needle aspiration cytology specimens and 108 epididymal biopsies were carried out in 187 men for evaluation of chronic epididymal nodules. Isolated epididymal tuberculosis was defined as "tuberculous infection affecting the epididymis without evidence of renal involvement as documented by the absence of acid fast bacilli in the urine sample and on imaging". The age, laterality, mode of presentation and method of histological diagnosis were studied with the objective of profiling isolated tuberculous epididymitis. RESULTS: Fifty-four of the 187 men (median age 32 years; interquartile range: 21-37 years) had tuberculous epididymitis. Fourteen were excluded from the analysis (10 had associated urinary tract tuberculosis and 4 were lost to follow-up). None of the 40 men with isolated tuberculous epididymitis had urinary symptoms. Bilateral involvement was seen in five (12.5%) cases. The salient presenting features included painful swelling (16 subjects, 40%), scrotal sinus (4, 20%) and acute epididymitis (2, 10%). Past history or concomitant presence of tuberculosis was noted in three subjects each. Anti TB treatment resulted in a complete response in 10 and partial response in 18. Five subjects underwent epididymectomy. Tuberculous epididymitis was found incidentally in 5 (10%) cases on high orchiectomy specimen done for suspected testicular tumour. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculous epididymitis can be the sole presentation of genitourinary tuberculosis. This abstract is being posted for educational purposes, as well as for comment and criticism, by the visitors to the Epididymitis Foundation website (www.EpididymitisFoundation.org ). This abstract is representative of a larger article that is indexed on Medline. Men's Health Web RingSurvivingProstateCancerWithoutSurgery.org VasectomyFoundation.org Prostatitis Foundation ( Prostatitis.org) Disclaimer: Information provided on this web site is for educatonal purposes only. It is not a substitute for, nor can it replace advice from your own physician. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns that you may have. Testicular torsion, which is a medical emergency can be confused with epididymitis. You must see your own physician for diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the information on this site is never guaranteed to be 100% accurate or 100% up to date. All the side effects of mentioned treatments, drugs, surgeries, or therapies cannot always be listed or be known. Errors and omissions may occur in any essay. See a competent physician for your health care needs. EpididymitisFoundation.org™ Established December 11, 2002 |
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