| Print Date: | June 19, 2013, 5:51 pm |
| Title | Testicular Microlithiasis |
| Text | Microlithiasis of the testicle is defined by five or more microliths per cross-sectional image. The condition may be bilateral. Sonography demonstrates many small, usually non-shadowing, possibly comet-tailing, diffusely scatterred hyperechoic foci within the testicular parenchyma. The microliths are thought to arise from calcification of corpora-amylacea-like bodies in the seminiferous tubules. Microlithiasis has been identified in both normal and cryptorchid testis and in individuals diagnosed with Klinefelter's syndrome, male pseudohermaphroditism and testicular neoplasms. (1)
Originally thought to be a benign process, some reports have shown an association between microlithiasis and occurence of a coexisting primary testicular neoplasm--up to 40% in one small series. (2) Current recommendations are to perform interval 6-month sonograms and appropriate tumor marker studies. (1) |
| References: | 1. Dambro TJ, Stewart RR, Carroll BA. The Scrotum. In: Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound, St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, Inc: 1998:806-808.
2. Backus ML, Mack AL, Middleton WD et al. Testicular microlithiasis: imaging appearances and pathologic correlation. Radiology 1994;192:781-785. |
| Contributor | Kevin C. Reilly, Sr., PE, PP, MS, MD (Affiliation Unlisted - Please See Comments) |
| Peer Reviewer | James G. Smirniotopoulos, M.D. (Uniformed Services University) |
| Record Number | : 1203 |
| Created | 2001-02-16 06:56:55-05 |
| Modified | 2004-06-01 23:46:04-04 |
| Category: | Differential Diagnosis |
| Location: | Genitourinary |
| Sublocation: | Testicle |
| MedPix® Medical Image Database Content Text and Images may be Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by the Original Contributors | |