Epidermoid cysts of the testis: the case for conservative surgery

The series comprises 6 patients (mean age, 21 years) who presented with an epidermoid cyst of the testis between 1991 and 1998. Pre-operative ultrason ography suggested the presence of a testicular cancer in 3 patients who und erwent a radical orchidectomy. The ultrasound successfully predicted the tr ue diagnosis in 3 patients who had a wedge excision of the cyst together wi th a cuff of normal surrounding tissue. All patients are free of disease wi th a mean follow-up of 3 years. With increasing awareness of the condition coupled with accurate pre-operat ive radiological imaging, local excision of an epidermoid cyst with preserv ation of the remainder of the testis is now a feasible and rational alterna tive to more radical surgery.