Cystic appendix epididymis: a sonomorphologic study

Abstract

We aimed to describe the morphologic characteristics of the appendix epididymis that appears cystic on ultrasound (US) examinations. Two hundred and seventy-two patients (544 testes) were examined by US for various scrotal complaints. The patients were prospectively evaluated for the presence of testicular appendages. Cystic appendix epididymis on US examinations was classified according to the presence of the stalk and size of the cyst. Testicular appendages have been identified in 337 out of 544 testes (61.9%). Of them, 241 were appendix testis (44.3%) and 96 (17.6%) were appendix epididymis. Of the appendix epididymises, 35 were cystic in nature (36.4%). The most common morphology in our study was the stalked appendix epididymis with nonseptated unilocular cysts (31.4%). In conclusion, cystic appearance of the appendix epididymis on sonographic examinations is frequent and it should not be mistaken with a torsed testicular appendage.