[Epididymal cysts in childhood]

To retrospectively review all cases of epididymal cysts registered over the last five years; 15 cases have been included. Simple epididymal cysts are a rare pathology in childhood, being most of them diagnosed in puberty. Currently, due to the scarce case series, there is not consensus about the most adequate therapy.

Mean age at presentation was 11.5 yr. (1-16). 50% were diagnosed incidentally and 29% presented increased scrotal size. 46% of the cases had associated left varicocele (n = 6) and 26% had history of orchiepididymitis. Diagnosis was based on physical examination and confirmed by ultrasound. 40% of the patients underwent surgery and the remainder received conservative treatment without evidence of complications on follow-up.

Due to the benign character and good evolution of all cases of epididymal cysts treated conservatively and the absence of benefit after surgical treatment, we believe that management should be conservative with clinical and ultrasound controls, leaving surgery for cysts with complications. The frequent association between epididymal cysts and varicocele is related to coincidence of both pathologies in the prepuberal age.