[Epididymal manifestations of urogenital tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE

To define the epidemiological, anatomical, clinical and therapeutic aspects of tuberculous epididymitis in adults in the tropics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 11 cases of confirmed and treated tuberculous epididymitis.

RESULTS

The most frequently affected age-group was 40-49 years. The commonest expression was that of a chronic epididymal nodule. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of the epididymectomy specimen (10 cases) and bacteriology in one case. Combination antituberculous chemotherapy was systematically administered and epididymectomy was performed in all patients.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of tuberculous epididymitis is often very difficult in the absence of a history of recent or active tuberculosis. However, this diagnosis must be considered in any case of chronic epididymal nodule, particularly in a context of infertility. The very mutilating treatment consists of epididymectomy in chronic forms, which also constitutes a diagnostic confirmation procedure, hence the value of prevention based on eradication of tuberculosis.