Funiculitis

FUNICULITIS, spermatitis (funiculitis, spermatitis), inflammation of the spermatic cord; it occurs as a complication of gonorrheal urethritis, as a concomitant disease in inflammation of the epididymis (see Epididymitis) and the vas deferens (see Spermatic cord). Among other causes, one can note the appearance of F. on the basis of inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of this area or on the basis of thrombophlebitis of the spermatic plexus. Upon palpation along the course from the tail of the epididymis to the internal opening of the inguinal canal, a uniform thickening of the cord tissues and pain on palpation are felt. The thickness of the spermatic cord in this case can reach the thickness of a thumb. The symptoms do not differ from those in orchitis (see) or epididymitis. In individual cases, F. may be accompanied by peritoneal phenomena. With the subsidence of the inflammatory process, either complete resorption of the infiltrate occurs or the development of dense connective tissue, which in other cases can lead to narrowing and even obliteration of the vas deferens. The prognosis in F. is favorable, in very rare cases the process can spread to phlegmon of the abdominal coverings. Treatment is reduced to treating the primary focus, i.e., the posterior urethra or seminal vesicle, and to the local application of heat in all forms.