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Revista Cubana de Medicina Militar
Print version ISSN 0138-6557On-line version ISSN 1561-3046
Abstract
RODRIGUEZ COLLAR, Tomás Lázaro. Diagnosis and treatment of epididymal tumors. Rev Cub Med Mil [online]. 2014, vol.43, n.3, pp.352-369. ISSN 0138-6557.
Epididymus tumors are rare and the majority of them are benign, so there is not much information about them in the medical literature. Reaching the final histological diagnosis implies multiple testing and represents a challenge for the physician's performance. The present paper made an anatomical and physiological review of the epididymus as well as provided updating on the tumors affecting this organ in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Literature search was made in databases Hinari, PubMed, Medline and in Goggle from 2009 to 2013. The MeSH terms were paratesticular tumors, intrascrotal tumors and epididymal tumors in Spanish and English. Reference books and specialized journals were also reviewed. This paper confirmed the value of questioning and of the detailed physical exam in order to set the topographic and differential diagnosis of these tumors. Although ultrasound is the imaging study of choice for initial assessment, it is often inconclusive; therefore, it is necessary to obtain nuclear magnetic resonance images so as to have additional information. When the clinical picture and the findings from images may indicate a benign tumor, then fine needle aspiration cytology is a reliable option to make the final classification. Nevertheless, if this technique is not conclusive, then there is the biopsy through transoperative freezing, which is taken with inguinotomy, thus avoiding unnecessary radical orchiectomies. The adjuvant treatments for malignant tumors are very customized since they depend on the patient's age, the histological type and the tumor staging.
Keywords : epididymus; paratesticular tumors; intrascrotal tumors; epididymal tumors; fine needle aspiration cytology; exploratory inguinotomy; biopsy through transoperative freezing.