Spermatocele

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration of male reproductive system 
Male reproductive system

A spermatocele is unlikely to cause complications.

However, if your spermatocele is painful or has grown so large that it's causing you discomfort, you may need to have surgery to remove the spermatocele. Surgical removal may damage the epididymis or the vas deferens, a tube that transports sperm from the epididymis. Damage to either can reduce fertility. Another possible complication that can occur after surgery is that the spermatocele may return.

References
 
  1. Cooper CS, et al. Urology. In:. Doherty GM. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5312459. Accessed Nov. 6, 2009.
  2. Spermatoceles. American Urological Association Foundation. http://www.urologyhealth.org/search/index.cfm?topic=530&search=spermatocele&searchtype=and. Accessed Nov. 6, 2009.
  3. Scrotal masses. In: Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/169561838-3/913428548/1565/762.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..50081-2--cesec29_4564. Accessed Nov. 6, 2009.
  4. Schneck FX, et al. Abnormalities of the testes and scrotum and their surgical management. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/169561838-3/913428548/1445/130.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50129-1--cesec70_8117. Accessed Nov. 6, 2009.
  5. Sandlow JL, et al. Surgery of the scrotum and seminal vesicles. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/169561838-3/913428548/1445/37.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50036-4--cesec20_2551. Accessed Nov. 6, 2009.
  6. Tiemestra JD, et al. Evaluation of scrotal masses. American Family Physician. 2008;78:1165.
DS00619 Jan. 21, 2010

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