Zoumpoulidis N. DVM, Postgraduate, Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece | Karamitros A. DVM, Private Practitioner, Small Animal Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece | Ververidis Ch. DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
Presentation of clinical case of a dog with a rare tubular enlargement of the spermatic cord.
Clinical case
A male stray dog, 10 years old, 35 kg was presented to a private veterinary practice for castration. The physical examination was normal, except of a nonpainful, soft tissue swelling of the scrotum. During scrotal incision, we found free fluid inside the tunics of the left testicle (hydrocele) and a tubular cystic structure inside and along the spermatic cord, aside of the ductus deferens and the testicular vessels. The orchiectomy was done with the closed technique using a double ligation cranial of the affected spermatic cord. The respective testicle had normal size, consistency, texture, and color. The lateral testicle was a little smaller and its spermatic cord was normal. The surgical procedure was completed without scrotal excision.
Results
The tubular structure (8 X 2 cm) was thick walled and contained a sero-hemorrhagic non-septic fluid with few erythrocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages. The histopathologic examination revealed a nonneoplastic cyst, consistent with an embryonal duct remnant (Wolffian or Muellerian duct or mesothelial rests trapped during embryogenesis). The dog recovered uneventfully and was released a few days later.
Conclusions
Spermatic cord cysts may be congenital and enlarge slowly over time. Excision is curative and the prognosis is good.
