testicle pain

[OU85]

Aprroximately 4 years ago I had a vasectomy.  I had no problems with recovery.  Sometime within the first year after the procedure I notice that my testicles were now much more sensitive.  There was no swelling but I noticed that there was a small bump at the back of both of my testicles around the top.  They felt like they were connected to the tubes (vas deferens maybe?) that were cut during the vasectomy.  They are not in the testicle itself or on the sides. Over the past 4 years the the bump on the left has grown to about the size of a dime and the one on the right has grown to about half that size.  They are both sensitive to the touch but the one on the left is worse.  I have felt a dull ache off and on especially on the left side over the past 4 years but the last couple of days it has become more consistent and more painful.  Nothing intense ( about a 4 or 5 on a 1 to 10 pain scale ) just the feeling that I have been hit in that area along with a slight nausea sensation that comes and goes.  I am going to see my urologist that perfomed my vasectomy tomorrow.  I have researched sperm granualomas and it seems this might be what is going on.  I wanted to know if granualomas are located in this area I have described and what they feel like.  Like I stated, they are fairly sensitive to the touch.  They are not symetrical in shape and they almost feel uneven and soft.  Any info would be helpful.

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
Sperm granuloma that you are suspecting is an important possibility. A sperm granuloma is a mass that develops as a result of the body's immune reaction to sperm leaking from the cut end of the vas.It is a common complication of vasectomy and may need anti inflammatory drugs or surgical drainage.

The other possibilities are epididymal cysts,infection or hemaorrhages.I would suggest you to consult your operating surgeon and get an ultrasound testis done to confirm the diagnosis.

I hope it helps.Take care and regards.

[OU85]

Thanks for your response.  I have seen my urologist and I have a non cancerous cyst ( I think he called it a spermadocile ) that doesn't have to be removed but I will be scheduling a short procedrue to remove it at my request.  My Dr. also mentioned that if there were more cysts forming that he could possibly remove my edpidymis.  This is all quite common and this is really what I wanted to be reassured about.  Thanks again.