Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical findings in seminal vesicle pathologies.

Zafer Ozmen,Eda Albayrak,Nihat Uluocak,Fatma Aktas,Ayşegül Altunkaş,Fatih Çelikyay

doi:10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2017.0153

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurposeCongenital and acquired pathologies of the seminal vesicles (SV) are rare diseases. The diagnosis of SV anomalies is frequently delayed or wrong due to the rarity of these diseases and the lack of adequate evaluation of SV pathology. For this reason, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate SV pathologies and accompanying genitourinary system abnormalities.Materials and MethodsBetween March 2012 and December 2015, 1455 male patients with different provisional diagnosis underwent MRI. Congenital and acquired pathology of the SV was identified in 42 of these patients. The patients were categorized according to their SV pathologies. The patients were analyzed in terms of genitourinary system findings associated with SV pathologies.ResultsSV pathologies were accompanied by other genitourinary system findings. Congenital SV pathologies were bilateral or predominantly in the left SV. Patients with bilateral SV hypoplasia were diagnosed at an earlier age compared to patients with unilateral SV agenesis. There was a significant association between abnormal signal intensity in the SV and benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and patient age.ConclusionSV pathologies are rare diseases of the genitourinary system. The association between seminal vesicle pathology and other genitourinary system diseases requires complete genitourinary system evaluation that includes the seminal vesicles.

Highlights

The seminal vesicles (SV) are part of the male reproductive urogenital organs
Congenital and acquired pathologies of the seminal vesicle were identified in 42 patients
Seventy percent of the patients had unilateral left SV agenesis accompanied by anomalies such as renal agenesis, renal ectopia, vas deference (VD) agenesis or hypoplasia

Summary

Introduction

The seminal vesicles (SV) are part of the male reproductive urogenital organs. The development of the SV is closely linked to ureter and kidney development. SV agenesis is the most common congenital SV pathology that in rare cases may lead to infertility. In addition to congenital anomalies, nonspecific inflammation of SV can lead to SV hemorrhages. Diseases originating from the prostate, bladder, and rectum can affect the SV [1, 2]. The diagnosis of SV anomalies is frequently delayed or inaccurate due to the infrequency of SV dysfunction and the lack of awareness. Genitourinary system abnormalities can be accompanied by SV pathologies. A full diagnosis should include evaluation of the SV

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