seminal vesicle cyst

Seminal vesicle cysts can be congenital or acquired.

Epidemiology

Age of presentation of congenital cysts is during the period of greatest reproductive activity i.e in second and third decades of life, while acquired cysts are most often seen in the elderly age group.

Clinical presentation

Smaller cysts may be detected incidentally. In symptomatic patients, the usual presenting features include perineal pain, abdominal pain, ejaculatory pain, dysuria, hematuria, increased frequency of micturition, urinary tract infections and infertility.

Pathology

Etiology
Congenital

Congenital cysts occur due to insufficient drainage as a result of atresia of the ejaculatory ducts causing distension of seminal vesicles and further leading to the formation of a cyst. They usually become symptomatic in young adulthood due to the accumulation of secretions. These cysts are mostly unilateral with no predilection for the side of involvement.

Congenital cysts are associated with many other urogenital anomalies:

Acquired

Acquired cysts are seen most often secondary to prostatic infection or surgery causing scarring and finally obstruction of the drainage of secretions. This is seen most often bilaterally.

Radiographic features

Seminal vesicles appear normal or enlarged in size with presence of cysts within.

Ultrasound

These can be imaged by transabdominal ultrasound and are best evaluated by transrectal ultrasound. The cysts may be anechoic or may contain internal debris from hemorrhage or infection.

CT 

Larger cysts may be seen on CT. The cysts may be seen as well defined, low attenuation lesions or thick and irregular walled cysts with hyperdense contents in cases of secondary hemorrhage or infection. These lesions are classically located in the retro-vesicular region and cephalic to prostate. The associated renal anomalies can be depicted well.

MRI

Best in differentiating cystic pelvic lesions. Abdominal and pelvic anatomy can also be assessed. Classical appearance of cysts is maintained with low T1 and high T2 weighted signal intensity. Some seminal vesicle cysts may have high T1 and T2 signals probably due to proteinaceous contents or hemorrhage.

Treatment and prognosis

Depending on the size of the seminal vesicle cyst, surgery may be helpful.

Differential diagnosis

Other causes of male pelvic cystic masses can be included as a differential diagnosis.

See also

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