Incidental resection of a scrotal aggressive angiomyxoma mimicking a spermatocele: a case report

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm, occurring in the pelvis and perineum mostly in females [1, 2]. It was first described by Steeper and Rosai as a distinctive type of gynecological soft tissue neoplasm [3]. Generally, cystic lesions in the scrotum are common and mostly benign. They may be located in the testis, epididymis, and spermatic cord or they may be a hydrocele. Possibilities in the epididymis include tubular ectasia, cysts in the head or appendix testis, appendix epididymis, or a spermatocele. Aggressive angiomyxomas in males are rare. Only a few cases in males have been described, with less than 20 of them mentioning a scrotal genesis [1, 2, 4]. Aggressive angiomyxoma is described as a locally aggressive neoplasm [5] with a high tendency to recur [6]. We describe the case of a man presenting clinically with a spermatocele, which even at surgical exploration was not obvious to be a neoplasm. Dealing with this kind of neoplasm is empirical, as currently no guidelines exist.

A healthy-looking non-smoking 62-year-old man presented with a painless, mobile, and soft mass cranial to the left testis. The clinical diagnosis of a spermatocele was made. On ultrasound, a cystic lesion was identified without any signs suggestive of malignancy. Magnetic resonance tomography showed a cystic lesion with some contrast enhancement to its lateral aspect, a finding that conforms to a spermatocele. No lymphadenopathy was shown. The size of the lesion disturbed the patient and therefore a surgical resection was desired (Fig. 1).

An exploration and macroscopically total surgical excision using a scrotal skin incision followed. Contrary to a spermatocele, the 4 × 5 × 7-cm big lesion had no connection to the testis or epididymis. The mass was removed in toto. Finally, the histological examination confirmed an AAM with a positive resection margin. This rare diagnosis was made as a result of the typical localization in the pelvic region combined with characteristic histological features such as fibrosclerotic vessel walls and bundles and fascicles of eosinophilic smooth muscle cells, the so-called Catherine wheel. Immunohistochemistry frequently shows actin and desmin reactivity (Fig. 2).

Aggressive angiomyxomas are mesenchymal neoplasms mainly in females arising from the soft tissues in the pelvis and perineum. They are locally infiltrative with recurrence rates varying from 36 to 72% [1, 7]. Two cases with metastasis in females have been described to date [1]. Sensitivity to neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormonal manipulation of estrogen and progesterone has been suggested [1, 8]. Contrary to expectations, a long-term follow-up study did not differentiate between outcomes after complete or incomplete primary resection [9]. As reliable follow-up is possible with our patient, we decided, after informed consent including radical orchiectomy, to perform check-ups every 3 months for the first year. Imaging is done by scrotal ultrasonography by a dedicated uroradiologist. Even a faint suspicion would lead to surgical exploration and radical orchiectomy to facilitate complete resection. If no recurrence is demonstrable, follow-up visits could be stretched out. The patient was free of recurrence with a follow-up of 6 months.

In summary, the etiology and pathophysiology of AAM are poorly understood. The literature suggests slightly different presentations with metastasis only described in females. It is important to realize that cystic lesions in the scrotum do not include only hydroceles or spermatoceles. A high index of suspicion should be maintained during scrotal exploration, demanding histological analysis to confirm rare findings. Furthermore, complete excisions should be done whenever possible, to attain tumor-free resection margins during primary resection.