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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffTo diagnose a spermatocele, you'll need a physical exam. Although a spermatocele generally isn't painful, you may feel discomfort when your doctor examines (palpates) the mass.
You may also undergo the following diagnostic tests:
- Transillumination. Your doctor may shine a light through your scrotum. With a spermatocele, the light will indicate that the mass is fluid-filled rather than solid.
- Ultrasound. If transillumination indicates a fluid-filled mass, your doctor may order an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. If transillumination doesn't clearly indicate a cyst, an ultrasound can help determine what else it might be. This test, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures, may be used to rule out a testicular tumor or other cause of scrotal swelling.
References
- Spermatoceles. American Urological Association Foundation. http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=117. Accessed Dec. 7, 2011.
- Brenner JS, et al. Causes of painless scrotal swelling in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 7, 2011.
- Tiemestra JD, et al. Evaluation of scrotal masses. American Family Physician. 2008;78:1165.
- Wampler SM. Common scrotal and testicular problems. Primary Care Clinics Office Practice. 2010;37:613.
- Montgomery JS. The diagnosis and management of scrotal masses. Medical Clinics of North America. 2011;95:235.
- Painless scrotal mass. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary_disorders/symptoms_of_genitourinary_disorders/painless_scrotal_mass.html. Accessed Dec. 7, 2011.
- Jahnson S, et al. A randomized trial comparing 2 doses of polidocanol sclerotherapy for hydrocele or spermatocele. The Journal of Urology. 2011;186:1319.
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