Cystic testicular lesions in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE: We present the etiology, histological evaluation and management of all cystic lesions of the pediatric testis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Illustrative cases from our experience are reported with a literature review of all possible diagnoses.

RESULTS: Included in the differential diagnosis of cystic testis lesions in children are epidermoid cyst, dermoid cyst, prepubertal teratoma, juvenile granulosa cell tumor, cystic dysplasia of the rete testis, testicular cystic lymphangioma, simple cyst and cystic degeneration after torsion. Testis sparing surgery is feasible in many circumstances.

CONCLUSIONS: Cystic lesions of the pediatric testis are rare but represent an interesting group of diagnoses. Patient age at presentation, examination features, tumor markers and sonographic appearance may assist in making a presumptive and occasionally definitive diagnosis preoperatively. Based on the likely diagnosis enucleation or partial orchiectomy may be considered when performed with frozen section histological assessment. A thorough understanding of potentially cystic testis lesions in children leads to the best management choices and often to preservation of a substantial portion of the affected testis.