Inflammation of the spermatic duct (also: deferentitis, vasitis ductus deferentis) rarely occurs in isolation. The vas deferens originates in the epididymis, runs through the inguinal canal to the bladder and finally leads into the urethra which from now on passes through the penis as a urinary and seminal duct. An inflammation of the vas deferens is usually caused by an inflammation of the prostate gland, the testes or the epididymis.
Due to the common end section, the urethra is often also affected by an inflammation of the spermatic duct. Classic venereal diseases can also cause inflammation of the spermatic duct. Bacteria are usually the cause of inflammation of both the testicles and the prostate. If there is a bacterial infection, it can usually be detected in the blood or urine. A rather chronic special form occurs in men after vasectomy, but this is usually asymptomatic and without further consequences.
Causes
As mentioned above, the cause of an inflammation of the spermatic duct is usually not in the spermatic duct itself. A bacterial infection of the prostate or the testicles can be caused by an ascending infection of the urethra or by an exudation from the blood. Common causes are e.g. E. coli, enterococci, chlamydia, treponema or mycoplasma, thus also the classical pathogens of venereal diseases.
These usually rise from the opening of the urethra, after microtraumas, especially during sexual intercourse, through the urethra and thus also lead to infection of the seminal duct. The risk is therefore increased if the sexual partners change frequently. Men in puberty and those immediately following a vasectomy are also particularly at risk of developing inflammation of the seminal duct and adjacent structures.
A special form of inflammation of the vas deferens is the so-called vasitis nodosa. This occurs almost exclusively in men after a vasectomy. In most cases, this process in the vas deferens not even noticeable by its symptoms, but only when such a vasectomy is to be reversed.
This form of inflammation of the vas deferens is characterized by a thickening of the epithelium (skin layer) and the muscles of the spermatic cord. Sperm granulomas are then deposited in the resulting nodules. These are a mixture of the sperm, which cannot get outside because of the vasectomy, and inflammatory cells.
These granulomas, however, do not have any late effects or impairments. This form of inflammation of the seminal duct does not cause pain or other symptoms. Mostly young men are affected.
As with the other forms of inflammation, the vas deferens is also thickened, but also nodular in shape. However, this symptomless disease is only relevant if a vasectomy is to be reversed. If a vasectomy has been performed, this should be kept in mind, as the nodular swelling can initially be mistaken for a tumor.
