Korean J Urol.  2013 Aug;54(8):558-560. 10.4111/kju.2013.54.8.558.

Corticosteroid Therapy Improves the Outcome of Semen Analysis in an Oligozoospermic Patient With Epididymal Sarcoidosis

Affiliations
  • 1Urology II Clinics, Kartal Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. muhsinbalaban1980@yahoo.com

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem, inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of noncaseating epithelioid granulomas. Sarcoidosis can involve the genitourinary system by affecting the kidney and genitals. Most characteristic genital lesions proceed to granuloma and can comprise the epididymis, testis, and vas deferens. Few case reports have been published on this rare entity. We report a case in which a man presented with bilateral epididymal sarcoidosis and severe oligospermia. Corticosteroid treatment, which was applied in gradually decreasing doses for 6 months, dissolved the testicular granuloma. Consequently, semen analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the sperm count to within normal limits.

Keyword

Infertility; Testicular diseases; Sperm count; Spermatogenesis

MeSH Terms

Epididymis
Granuloma
Humans
Infertility
Kidney
Male
Oligospermia
Sarcoidosis
Semen
Semen Analysis
Sperm Count
Spermatogenesis
Testicular Diseases
Testis
Urogenital System
Vas Deferens

Figure

  • FIG. 1 Magnetic resonance imaging showing T1 sagittal postcontrast-enhanced lesions on the (A) left and (B) right epididymides.

  • FIG. 2 Epithelioid granuloma (white arrow) beside the epididymal duct (black arrow) (H&E, ×100).


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