Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Seminal Vesicle Stones

Abstract

Background/Aims: Seminal vesicle (SV) stones are a rare, and thus readily misdiagnosed condition in practice. Understanding the etiology, diagnosis, and management are crucial to guide a urologist's care, and are provided in this literature review. Methods: The inclusion criteria for the literature search, using the search engines MEDLINE® and PubMed was conducted using a combined query of “seminal vesicle stone” and the following keywords: calculi, hematospermia, calcification, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Results: The etiology of SV stones is currently unknown where majority of the patients present with having painful ejaculation and hematospermia. However, clinicians have reported potential etiologies by categorization as an inflammatory or non-in-flammatory. A majority of the previous cases had shown multiple stones being present in the SV duct system that are typically diagnosed through radiological examination such as TRUS, MRI, or plain radiographs. Amongst the many imaging approaches, TRUS remains the primary imaging diagnoses of SV calculi. Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy has shown to be used in an abundant of the case reports to be an ideal surgical approach for managing small SV stones. In regard to larger stones, a transperitoneal laparoscopic protocol is proper. Conclusion: The current imaging techniques have increased the case reports and diagnosis of SV calculi; however, more research is warranted for understanding the pathogenesis of the formation of SV stones. An optimal management of the extraction of SV stones depends on a number of factors such as size and location.

Successful treatment of seminal vesicle calculi and prostatic utricle calculi by transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy

“…The stones were mainly composed of COD and CA. The literature on SVC is relatively limited; we have reported the largest number of SVC and/or PUC cases (Miao et al, 2020; Zaidi et al, 2019).…”

“…The clinical manifestations of SVC and PUC are intractable or persistent haematospermia, which are not relieved with active anti‐inflammatory treatment. Patients can have multiple recurrences of SVC and PUC, and the majority of patients present with painful ejaculation (Liao et al, 2019; Tian et al, 2018; Zaidi et al, 2019). Patients with SVC also complained of lower abdominal pain, perineal discomfort or pain, and/or infertility (Miao et al, 2020; Li, 1991).…”

“…Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy is a safe, minimally invasive and effective treatment for SVC (Miao et al, 2020; Christodoulidou et al, 2017; Liao et al, 2019; Zaidi et al, 2019). No recurrence of haematospermia was reported during the follow‐up of our patients.…”

“…Seminal vesicle calculi (SVC) are rare; hence, they are commonly misdiagnosed in clinical practice (Zaidi et al, 2019). The aetiology of SVC is unclear, with limited literature, mostly in the form of case reports (Miao et al, 2020; Zaidi et al, 2019).…”

“…Seminal vesicle calculi (SVC) are rare; hence, they are commonly misdiagnosed in clinical practice (Zaidi et al, 2019). The aetiology of SVC is unclear, with limited literature, mostly in the form of case reports (Miao et al, 2020; Zaidi et al, 2019). With the development of imaging technologies and the introduction of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy (TSV), an increasing number of patients with SVC are being diagnosed and treated successfully by clinicians (Yang, Rha, Byon,& Kim, 2002; Tian, Han, Lei, & Zhang, 2018).…”