PURPOSE Epididymal cyst lesions (ECLs) include both spermatoceles and epididymal cysts and are often incidentally found on physical exam or scrotal US (SUS). We aimed to determine the association of ECLs and semen parameters among men presenting for fertility evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed men at our institution who had at least 1 semen analysis and SUS available for review between 2002 and 2022. SUS data included testicular measurements, presence or absence of subclinical varicocele, and size and laterality of ECL, if present. Demographic and clinical information including serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone and semen parameters were compared between men with and without ECLs. RESULTS Among 861 men, 164 (19%) had unilateral right ECL (median 4 mm, interquartile range 3-8 mm), 189 (22%) had unilateral left ECL (median 4 mm, interquartile range 3-9 mm), and 113 (13%) had bilateral ECL. Patients with ECLs were significantly older than men without ECLs at the time of evaluation but had no statistically significant difference in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, total motile sperm count, or serum hormonal values. Analysis of men with unilateral and bilateral ECLs showed that ECL size and laterality did not significantly correlate with any semen parameter evaluated. CONCLUSIONS We found no association between ECLs and semen parameters. Patients should be counseled toward conservative management with observation for asymptomatic ECLs in the setting of fertility evaluation.

中文翻译：

---

附睾囊肿病变与接受生育力评估的男性精液参数受损无关。


目的 附睾囊肿病变 （ECL） 包括精囊肿和附睾囊肿，经常在体格检查或阴囊 US （SUS） 中偶然发现。我们旨在确定进行生育力评估的男性 ECLs 和精液参数的关联。材料和方法 我们回顾了 2002 年至 2022 年间至少 1 次精液分析和 SUS 可供审查的我们机构的男性。SUS 数据包括睾丸测量值、是否存在亚临床精索静脉曲张以及 ECL 的大小和偏侧性（如果存在）。比较有和没有 ECLs 的男性的人口统计学和临床信息，包括血清睾酮和促卵泡激素和精液参数。结果 在 861 例男性中，164 例 （19%） 为单侧右侧 ECL （中位数 4 mm，四分位距 3-8 mm），189 例 （22%） 为单侧左侧 ECL （中位数 4 mm，四分位距 3-9 mm），113 例 （13%） 为双侧 ECL。在评估时，有 ECLs 的患者明显比没有 ECLs 的男性大，但在精液量、精子浓度、精子活力、精子形态、运动精子总数或血清激素值方面没有统计学意义差异。对单侧和双侧 ECLs 男性的分析表明，ECL 大小和偏侧性与评估的任何精液参数均无显著相关性。结论 我们发现 ECLs 与精液参数之间没有关联。在生育力评估的情况下，应建议患者进行保守治疗，并观察无症状的 ECL。