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Testicular epidermoid cysts in children: sonographic characteristics with pathological correlation

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Abstract

Background

Testicular epidermoid cyst is a rare benign tumor in children. Although this entity is widely described in adults in literature, there are no large series describing the pathological and radiological findings in children. Knowledge of the sonographic features seen in children may alter surgical treatment.

Objective

To describe the specific US characteristics of testicular epidermoid cyst in children and to correlate these findings with pathology.

Materials and methods

All children with pathologically proven epidermoid cyst and preoperative sonograms diagnosed at a single children’s hospital between 1978 and 2008 were included. For each child, the medical records, preoperative US and pathological specimens were reviewed and correlated.

Results

Eleven patients (ages 1–17 years old) met our criteria. Nine cysts had characteristic target or onion ring appearances, the youngest patient had a simple cyst-like lesion, one cyst had a heterogeneous appearance, and more than 80% of the cysts presented daughter cysts attached along the periphery of the main cyst.

Conclusion

In addition to the commonly described findings of the epidermoid cyst (the target and onion ring appearances), simple cysts and the presence of daughter lesions are newly described findings that point to the diagnosis of this benign entity in children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Claudia Martinez Rios Arellano & Jeanne S. Chow

  2. Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez, Monterrey, Mexico

    Claudia Martinez Rios Arellano

  3. Department of Pathology, Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA

    Harry P. W. Kozakewich

  4. Department of Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA

    David Diamond & Jeanne S. Chow

Authors
  1. Claudia Martinez Rios Arellano
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  2. Harry P. W. Kozakewich
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  3. David Diamond
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  4. Jeanne S. Chow
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Correspondence to Jeanne S. Chow.

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Martinez Rios Arellano, C., Kozakewich, H.P.W., Diamond, D. et al. Testicular epidermoid cysts in children: sonographic characteristics with pathological correlation. Pediatr Radiol 41, 683–689 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2044-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2044-0

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