[Tetracycline sclerotherapy of hydroceles and spermatoceles]

40 patients were treated by aspiration and instillation of a 10% solution of tetracycline. 32 were cured after average 1.45 instillations. The dominating adverse effect was scrotal pain, reported by 55% of the patients. One patient experienced a transient vasovagal reaction due to the pain, and one patient was suspected of having a slight infection. No other adverse effect was registered, and 90% of the patients would prefer to have the same treatment rather than an operation if another treatment were found necessary. The treatment is given as an outpatient procedure at 1/10 of the cost of traditional operative treatment, and with comparable results.