[Testicular epidermoid cyst: limits of conservative surgery. Report of 16 cases].

Objective: To define the clinical criteria and complementary investigation results allowing conservative surgery for epidermoid cysts of the testis.

Materials And Methods: 16 patients with epidermoid cyst were managed in our department. Assessment of each patient included clinical examination, tumour marker assay and imaging (scrotal ultrasound in 16 cases and MRI in 2 cases). All patients were operated via an inguinal incision with primary clamping of the cord. No patient was lost to follow-up.

Results: Tumourectomy was performed in 3 patients after frozen section histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst. No disease progression was observed with a mean follow-up of 57 months (range: 3 to 108 months).

Conclusions: Conservative surgery for epidermoid cyst is possible on the basis of precise criteria: typical ultrasound (or MRI) image, size less than 2 centimetres, normal tumour marker assays, frozen section histological examination confirming the diagnosis.