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Laparoscopic treatment of a huge seminal vesicle calculus: A case report and review of literature

  • Authors:
    • Han Yang
    • Yinlei Wang
    • Jie Gao
    • Ping Wang
    • Xingkang Jiang
    • Dawei Tian
    • Hailong Hu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 1, 2019     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.8160
  • Pages: 4799-4803
  • Copyright: © Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

A 67‑year‑old male patient had a history of repeated urinary tract infections for numerous years. X‑ray examination revealed a large calcific density in the pelvic cavity, with a diameter of 10.4 cm and a CT value of ~792.9 HU. On MRI of the pelvis, the lesion displayed with extremely low signals. The inside of the stone had a concentric ring shape with a slightly higher signal and the patient was diagnosed with a large left seminal vesicle calculus. Laparoscopic surgery was selected to treat the stone. The patient recovered rapidly and the symptoms, including urgency, urinary frequency, as well as lower abdominal and perineal pain, were obviously improved. The present case study reports on the largest seminal vesicle calculus reported in the current English literature in addition to a brief literature review. Cases of seminal vesicle calculi (SVC) are rare. The present study reports on a case of SVC, which is the largest reported in current English literature, to the best of our knowledge.

Case report

A 67-year-old male had been suffering from recurrent lower urinary tract infections for 5 years. The major manifestations were urgency and urinary frequency, lower abdominal and perineal pain, and occasionally hematuria. The patient's self-administered antibiotics improved his symptoms, but these symptoms often occured repeatedly. The patient also previously had hypospadias, and >40 years ago, he had received hypospadias repair and cystostomy. The patient had not received any treatment for his left cryptorchidism, azoospermia or infertility.

On digital rectal examination, prostate palpation was not obvious, a stony hard mass was present at the distal end and it was not possible to assess the boundaries. Scars from the previous surgery for hypospadias and vesicostomy were present. The right testicle was atrophic and had an empty left hemiscrotum. No abnormalities were observed in body temperature on admission, routine blood tests, biochemical tests and electrocardiogram. Parathyroid hormone levels, prostate-specific antigen, coagulation function, androgen levels and cytological results, as well as renal and liver function, were normal and hepatitis tests were negative. The prostate-specific antigen level was 0.01 ng/ml. The patient's blood type was B and RH positive. Urinalysis revealed a leukocyte count of 12.83 per high-power field (HPF), an erythrocyte count of 7.09 per HPF and a squamous cell count of 12.66 per HPF. The urine culture results indicated an Escherichia coli infection. An X-ray of the pelvis displayed a large calcific density in the pelvic cavity (Fig. 1). CT revealed a large round dense shadow with a clear boundary that appeared between the bladder and rectum, which was 10.4 cm in diameter and a CT value of ~792.9 HU. The bladder, rectum and sigmoid colon were obviously compressed and displaced (Fig. 2). MRI of the pelvis indicated a large abnormal signal that was visible between the bladder and the rectum, and the lesion was dominated by extremely low signals. The inside of the stone appeared as a concentric ring shape with a slightly higher signal (Fig. 3).

The urinary infection was controlled using suitable antibiotics. An endoscopic examination was performed before the removal of the calculus to further confirm the diagnosis of SVC. Due to urethral stricture, urethral dilatation was performed intra-operatively by using a 24 French (Fr) urethral sound, and subsequently, a 8.5/9.8 Fr rigid ureteroscope was successfully placed under guidance. It was observed that the anterior hypospadias repair had healed to leave a stenosis scar and the seminal hillock was obviously expanded. However, it was not possible to place the ureteroscope into the seminal vesicle around the giant calculus. The diagnosis of SVC was further confirmed.

Considering the size of the calculus, laparoscopic surgery was selected for removal of the calculus. The easily identifiable vas deferens was used as a guide for seminal vesicle resection (Fig. 4). It was observed that the left seminal vesicle was significantly enlarged. The bottom of the seminal vesicle was dissected by using an ultrasonic knife and the calculus was then removed and placed in a specimen bag. The inner wall of the seminal vesicle was smooth and the opening of the seminal vesicle was clearly visible. The dilated seminal vesicle wall was dissected and almost completely excised. Serious adhesions were observed between the seminal vesicle wall and the pelvic tissue. The remaining vesicle was closed with a continuous locking suture. Upon examination of the left groin area, the inguinal hernia was not obvious and no cryptorchid tissue was observed. The calculus and dilated wall were removed through the expanded umbilical incision. The calculus was light brown-colored, had a round and smooth appearance, measured roughly 10.4×6.0×6.9 cm (Fig. 5). Pathological analysis indicated that the cystic wall consisted of proliferating fiber smooth muscle vascular tissue. The covered mucosa was a proliferating squamous epithelium with hyperkeratosis with massive chronic inflammatory cell infiltration.

The patient recovered well without any complaints or complications. The transurethral catheter was removed after 3 days and was discharged on post-operative day 5. The patient was regularly followed up and the symptoms were obviously improved compared with those prior to the surgery.

Discussion

The first case of SVC was reported in 1928, and since then, only a few clinically reported cases have been described (1). The definite mechanisms of the formation of SVC remain elusive; however, it usually occurs in patients with infection, urinary tract obstruction, anatomic anomaly, seminal vesicle cysts or reflux (2). In addition, 16.2% of patients with hemospermia have SVC (3). Although certain patients are asymptomatic, frequent lower urinary tract infections, haematospermia and ejaculatory pain, perineum or testicular pain are common (4). Furthermore, a series of lower urinary tract symptoms have been associated with frequency and urgency to urinate, dysuria and urinary tract infections (1,4). The most common symptom/complaint of a patient seeking medical care is hematospermia and ejaculation pain, and this may subside if left untreated. The patient of the present study had a history of numerous years of recurrent urinary tract infections. The major symptoms included urgency and increased frequency of urination, lower abdominal and perineal pain and occasionally hematuria. The patient's self-administered antibiotics improved his symptoms, which may in part be the reason why he did not seek hospital care for treatment previously.

The diagnosis of SVC usually involves a combination of clinical symptoms, rectal digital examination and X-rays (5). MRI are more sensitive compared with transrectal ultrasound and CT in the diagnosis of SVC (6,7). SVC frequently requires surgical treatment. In previous case reports, transurethral, suprapubic, transrectal or perineal procedures were applied for the treatment of stones (8). For large calculus, open supra-pubic incision and cystotomy is usually selected (9). Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy and laparoscopic approach are currently in use as effective treatments for SVC. Table I lists the characteristics and treatments of certain typical cases that have been reported in the English literature.

Table I.

Characteristics and treatment of some significant SVC cases reported in the English literature.

Table I.

Characteristics and treatment of some significant SVC cases reported in the English literature.

Author, yearCountryAgeClinical symptomsDiagnostic modalityClinical diagnosisSize (cm)Outcome(Refs.)
Li et al, 1991China53Perineal discomfortX-rayMultiple stones3.2×2.8×2.2 2.5×2.0×0.7Transrectal removal of calculus(14)
Wilkinson, 1993UK10Dysuria and frequencyX-ray and CTSVCN.S.Fruitless cystolithotomy followed by seminal vesiculotomy(15)
Carachi and Gobara, 1997UK7Recurent epididymo-orchitisX-ray and CTSVC1.0×0.5Extraperitoneal extraction of calculus(16)
Kilciler et al, 2002Turkey35Perineal and testicular painX-ray and TRUSSVCN.S.Seminal vesiculotomy to remove the calculi(17)
Kilciler et al, 2002Turkey40Terminal pain on urination and hemospermiaX-ray and TRUSMultiple stonesMax1.2Perineal approach for removal of calculus(17)
Namjoshi, 2002UK82Frequency of urineX-ray and CTBilateral seminal vesicle calculusR3.5×3.5×5.0 L3.0×2.0×4.5N.S.(18)
Ozgok et al, 2005Turkey31Perineal pain and painful ejaculationX-rayMultiple stonesN.S.Seminal vesicle endoscopic calculi removal(11)
Modi, 2006India53Urinarytract infection and dysuriaX-ray and TRUSMultiple stonesN.S.TRU-SVS and pneumatic lithotripsy of calculi(19)
Cuda et al, 2006USA25Painful ejaculationTRUSSVCN.S.TRU-SVS and laser lithotripsy of calculi(7)
Singh and Ansari, 2006India35Frequency of urine and dysuria, lower abdominal painX-rayBilateral seminal vesicle calculus4.0×3.0The patient declined to seminal vesiculectomy(5)
Han et al, 2008China62Hemospermia, painful ejaculation and perineal painX-ray and CTCalculus within a seminal vesicle cyst1.2×1.0Transperitoneal laparoscopic vesciculotomy for calculus(20)
Yun et al, 2008Korea20Small volume ejaculateX-ray and urethrography and CTSVC6.0×3.5×3.5Transperitoneal laparoscopic stone removal(21)
Hadidi et al, 2011Jordan29Lower urinary tract infections and painful ejaculationX-ray and CT and MRIBilateral seminal vesicle calculus7.0×4.0×3.5Transurethral excision + Open surgical removal of calculus(9)
Lee et al, 2014China51Hemospermia and perineal discomfortTRUSSVCN.S.TRU-SVS and laser fragmentation of calculi(2)
Present studyChina67Lower urinary tract infections, perineal discomfort, and painful ejaculationX-ray and CT and MRISVC10.4×6.0×6.9 stone removalTransperitoneal laparoscopic

[i] TRUS, transrectal ultrasound; SVC, seminal vesicle calculi; TRU-SVS, transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy; N.S., not specified.

The first seminal vesiculoscopy was reported in 1996 (10) and the first endoscopic lithotripsy was reported in 2005 (11). Subsequent studies have suggested that transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy is relatively simple to perform, is associated with a rapid post-operative recovery, to have fewer complications than transurethral resection of ejaculatory ducts and to preserve the normal structure of seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts in the treatment of seminal vesicle disease (12). It is particularly advantageous when dealing with small stones of seminal vesicles. Transperitoneal laparoscopy is considered a safe and thorough treatment for large stones (1). To the best of our knowledge, the SVC of the present case is the largest reported in the English literature and laparoscopic surgery was selected for treatment. The patient was 67 years old, infertile, had low requirements for sexual and reproductive functions and decided not to retain the seminal vesicle at the pre-operative consultation

This patient had a history of hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and azoospermic, and a similar medical history was observed in another case (9). Both of them were infertile. There is currently no clear evidence of an association between SVC and hypospadias (9). Hypoplasia, agenesis and congenital cysts of the seminal vesicles have been suggested to be linked to cryptorchidism (13). Anomalies of the seminal vesicles can affect patients of any age, especially after sexual maturity it become more obvious (9). Based on the current health awareness of the general population and medical improvements, the number of patients with SVC will increase; however, large seminal calculi may be difficult to detect. The patient of the present study was not the first case of large SVC accompanied with hypospadias and cryptorchidism reported. Further research is warranted to determine whether there may be a link with chromosome variations.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Authors' contributions

HH conceived and supervised the study. HY, YW and JG acquired the data. PW, XJ and DT retrieved and reviewed the literature, analyzed the results and critically revised the manuscript for intellectual content. HY drafted the manuscript. HH and HY prepared figures and tables. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University (Tianjin, China).

Patient consent for publication

Informed consent for publication was obtained from the patient.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Spandidos Publications style
Yang H, Wang Y, Gao J, Wang P, Jiang X, Tian D and Hu H: Laparoscopic treatment of a huge seminal vesicle calculus: A case report and review of literature. Exp Ther Med 18: 4799-4803, 2019
APA
Yang, H., Wang, Y., Gao, J., Wang, P., Jiang, X., Tian, D., & Hu, H. (2019). Laparoscopic treatment of a huge seminal vesicle calculus: A case report and review of literature. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 18, 4799-4803. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.8160
MLA
Yang, H., Wang, Y., Gao, J., Wang, P., Jiang, X., Tian, D., Hu, H."Laparoscopic treatment of a huge seminal vesicle calculus: A case report and review of literature". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 18.6 (2019): 4799-4803.
Chicago
Yang, H., Wang, Y., Gao, J., Wang, P., Jiang, X., Tian, D., Hu, H."Laparoscopic treatment of a huge seminal vesicle calculus: A case report and review of literature". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 18, no. 6 (2019): 4799-4803. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.8160