Lateral Cyst of the Prostate Causing Urinary Retention and Subileus

Introduction

Due to the increased use of non-invasive imaging modalities, e. g. transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) for detection a/o exclusion of prostatic cancer, even the detection rate of prostatic cysts has risen; the incidence of prostatic cysts has been reported as 1 to 7.9 % (Aalame NM et al. Urol Int 1998; 61: 58 – 61). Prostatic cysts are usually asymptomatic, represent incidental findings and do not require immediate therapy, unless patients present with clinical symptoms such as urinary retention, recurrent infection of the urinary tract collection system a/o epididymitis indicating further diagnostic imaging with TRUS, abdominal ultrasound, Multidetector Spiral Computed Tomography (MDCT) a/o Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Diagnostic puncture of the cystic mass and cytology reveal further differential diagnostic clues, since detection of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) within the cystic fluid is typical for simple cysts and cystadenoma (Blana A et al. Urologe (B) 2000; 40: 53 – 57). While cysts in the centre of the prostatic organ congenitally originate from the Müllerian duct a/o the utriculus prostaticus, the majority of lateral prostatic cysts arise later.