Abstract

Giant cell arteritis is a focal granulomatous inflammation of arteries of medium and small size that affects principally the cranial vessels, especially the temporal arteries, in older individuals. It appears to be a localized process; its significance apparantly depends on the organ affected. A 67-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of the left scrotal mass and pain lasting for 1 month. On physical examination, the hard masses were palpated at the superior part of the left epididymis without tenderness. Histologically, the spermatic cord showed granulomatous arteritis involving the small and medium sized arteries with a transmural inflammatory infiltrates centered on the inner media, and composed of lymphocytes, histiocytes, some eosinophils and multinucleated giant cells. The elastic tissue stain revealed the fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina along with numerous epithelioid histiocytes and giant cells.

• Keywords: Giant cell arteritis;Spermatic cord;