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Case Report

Parameatal cyst of glans penis

Siddalingeshwar I. Neeli,
Abstract
Praveen Patne, Suresh Kadli,
Siddayya Hiremath The parameatal cyst is a very benign condition seen in boys. We report a case of a parameatal
Department of Urology, KLE University’s urethral cyst in a 12-year-old boy. The cyst was recognized during early childhood, but the
J.N. Medical College and KLES boy presented to our clinic at the age of 12 years, when the mass had grown enough to
Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, cause spraying of urine and poor cosmesis. A complete surgical excision was performed.
Belgaum, Karnataka, India Histologically, the cyst wall was lined by a tall columnar epithelium. Good cosmetic results,
with no recurrence, were obtained.
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Siddalingeshwar. I. Neeli,
Department of Urology, KLE University’s
J.N. Medical College and KLES Dr.
Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC,
Belgaum, Karnataka, India. Key words: Glans penis, parameatal cyst, urethral cyst
E-mail: sineeli@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION investigations were normal. The cyst was excised under

Parameatal cysts of the penis have previously been
reported under various diagnostic terms, such as, mucoid
cyst, urethral cyst, and apocrine cystadenoma, all having
common clinical features, and are histologically similar.
The etiology of a parameatal urethral cyst is unclear.
Parameatal urethral cysts are usually asymptomatic,
however, sometimes they can cause a variety of
symptoms, including, poor cosmetic of the genitalia,
dysuria, difficulty in urination, and acute retention.[1-3]
We hereby report a parameatal urethral cyst in a boy
because of its rarity; the diagnosis and management of
this situation is discussed with relevant literature.
CASE REPORT
spinal anesthesia and the edges sutured with 5-0 chromic
catgut. Cystoscopy under the same anesthesia did not
reveal any abnormality. The postoperative period was
uneventful. Histopathologically, the luminal surface wall
of the cyst consisted of a tall columnar epithelium. Good
cosmetic results wre obtained, without meatal stricture
or urine flow problems after the surgical excision. No
recurrence was observed at the two-year follow-up
[Figure 1].
DISCUSSION
A parameatal urethral cyst is a very rare lesion in boys,
but they can also occur in infants, girls, and adults.
The parameatal cyst was first reported by Thompson

A 12-year-boy presented with a painless cystic mass

approximately 1 cm × 1 cm on the right side of the
external urethral meatus. The cyst was present since
early childhood, with no symptoms. However, it
resulted in spraying of urine since two months. The
diagnosis was made on clinical examination. His routine

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DOI:
10.4103/0974-5009.96476

Figure 1: Parameatal cyst

Journal of the Scientific Society, Vol 39 / Issue 1 / January-April 2012 45

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Neeli, et al.: Parameatal cyst of glans penis

and Lantin in 1956.[4] Usually paraurethral cysts are CONCLUSION

asymptomatic, but occasionally, patients may have
dysuria, difficulty in micturition, and acute retention.[1-3]
The etiology of a paraurethral cyst is completely unknown,
but it may occur due to obstruction of the paraurethral
ducts, secondary to infection, in adults.[5] Thompson and
Lantin explained the development of the parameatal
cysts of the glans penis, as being due to the persistence of
cystic spaces in the separation line of the prepuce from the
glans.[4] Shiraki proposed that occlusion of a paraurethral
duct was the cause,[6] while Hill and Ashken believed that
infection could be a possible cause of obstruction.[7]
Waiting for spontaneous rupture, needle aspiration,
marsupialization, and complete surgical excision
have been reported for the treatment of the cyst.[1,2,6,8]
Spontaneous rupture is rare in boys, and the duration
of conservative management is not clear. Recurrence
can be seen after a spontaneous rupture or aspiration,
but satisfactory cosmetic results may not be obtained.
Marsupialization of the cyst may be cosmetically
unsatisfactory, and recurrence can also be seen.
However, good cosmetic results with no recurrence, has
been reported with complete surgical excision.
Histologically, the cyst wall may be lined by columnar,
squamous or transitional epithelium. [2] The lining
epithelium actually varies according to the segment origin
of the urethra of the lesion. Similarly, in the present case,
the cyst wall was lined by a tall columnar epithelium.
A parameatal cyst is a benign, usually asymptomatic
condition that may contain a variety of epithelial types.
Only a physical examination may be sufficient to make
a diagnosis, and complete surgical excision may be
necessary to obtain good cosmetic results without
recurrence.
REFERENCES
1. Onaran M, Tan MO, Camtosun A, Irkilata L, Erdem O, Bozkirli I.
Parameatal cyst of urethra: A rare congenital anomaly. Int Urol Nephrol
2006;38:273-4.
2. Koga S, Arakaki Y, Matsuoka M, Ohyama C. Parameatal urethral cysts of
the glans penis. Br J Urol 1990;65:101-3.
3. Stovall TG, Muram D, Long DM. Paraurethral cyst as an unusual cause of
acute urinary retention. J Reprod Med 1989;34:423-5.
4. Thompson IM, Lantin PM. Parameatal cysts of the glans penis. J Urol
1956;76:753.
5. Yoshida K, Nakame Y, Negishi T. Parameatal urethral cysts. Urology
1985;36:490-1.
6. Shiraki IW. Parameatal cysts of the glans penis: A report of 9 cases. J Urol
1975;114:544-8.
7. Hill JT, Ashken MH. Parameatal urethral cyst: A review of 6 cases. Br J Urol
1977;49:323-5.
8. Fujimoto T, Suwa T, Ishii N, Kabe K. Paraurethral cyst in female newborn:
Is surgery always advocated? J Pediatr Surg 2007;42:400-3.
How to cite this article: Neeli SI, Patne P, Kadli S, Hiremath S.
Parameatal cyst of glans penis. J Sci Soc 2012;39:45-6.
Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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