Re: Spermatocele

Posted By HFHS M.D.-SAL on June 29, 1998 at 05:39:37:

In Reply to: Spermatocele posted by MEM on June 22, 1998 at 18:26:28:






I have had severe testicular pain for the past two months.  The pain is occuring on my right testical.  My urologist has tried two types of antibiotics on me - doxycycl and cipro - but it hasn't resolved the pain.  He also drained fluid with a needle to relieve some of the pressure.  The ultrasound shows a small cyst.  The pain is really noticable when I walk, which makes me believe it is on a location that is connected to tendons or something that connects the scrotum to the leg.  I can also feel it moving around on a chair while sitting.  I think it is a spermatocele or cyst, but I'm not sure if this is the root cause of the pain.  Perhaps it could be a torn something in the scrotum.  Have you heard of anything such as this?

For the last two days, I have been applying vitamin E liquid to the scrotum, as I have heard that vitamin E can reduce, heal cysts.  It seems to be relieving some of the pain.  Do you think that this is possible? or Do you think that if it is a spermatocele or a cyst, it is just shrinking over time?  Have you heard of vitamin E as a remedy for a spermatocele?
Probably another ultrasound is advisable to see if something was missed on the first one?
Thank you very much for your insights!
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Dear Mem
Thanks for your questions.
Yes, an ultrasound may be helpful but I trust that your urologist can make that decision.
Oral vitamin E has been used to treat women with fibrocystic disease of the breast. Topically vitamin E has been used to treat scars.  Vitamin E being applied to the scrotum probably is not increasing the  concentration of vitamin E around the testicle.  It is to far for the vitamin to have to diffuse.  The pain is  not caused by the pressure of the cyst alone unless it has been expanding rapidly. Some of your discomfort is probably from the local inflammation around the irritated cyst.  Non steroid anti-inflamatory meds like Tylenol, aspirin or better yet ibuprofen can help with this type of pain.  If the pain does not resolve with conservative therapy and the cyst is located in the epididymis ( tube coming off the testes), surgical excision instead of aspiration with a needle is usually curative.
  
More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling  (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any physicians notes and lab test results that you  may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Sincerely;
HFHS-M.D. MS
* Keyword: spermatocele, scrotal pain