Clinical Investigation of Epididymal Tuberculosis

Kim, Dong Hoon; Lee, Hee Yong

Abstract

A clinical investigation was undertaken on 43 patients with epididymal tuberculosis who were seen in our department during the period from 1978 to 1982. Histopathologic examination was performed on 30 patients with obstructive azoospermia. The results obtained were as follows: 1. A total of 43 patients with epididymal tuberculosis corresponds to 38% of total male patients with genitourinary tuberculosis. 2. The highest occurrence was observed in the age groups of 20 to 39 (72%). 3. Of presenting symptoms, Swelling of epididymis was observed in 81%; scrotal fistula, 30%; and infertility, 12%. 4. The most common affected region of epididymis was diffuse invasion in 37%, followed by tail in 30%. 5. Lateralization showed 21% in the right, 30% in the left, and 49% in the both sides. 6. In urine examination, pyuria was observed in 42%, hematuria in 37%, and tubercle bacilli in 19%. 7. In semen analysis, azoospermia was observed in 64%, oligozoospermia in 32%, and normal spermiogram in 4%. 8. The active pulmonary tuberculosis was observed in 28%, renal tuberculosis in 42%, prostatic tuberculosis in 42%, tuberculosis of vas in 51%, and tuberculosis of testis in 14%. 9. The causes of obstructive azoospermia were chronic nonspecific inflammation (53%), fibrosis and obliteration (20%), tuberculous inflammation (10%), absence of vas (10%) and sperm granuloma (7%) in order of frequency.