Testicular Microlithiasis: Prevalence and Clinical Significance in a Population Referred for Scrotal Ultrasonography

Abstract

PurposeTesticular microlithiasis (TM) is an uncommon pathologic condition that is commonly diagnosed by scrotal ultrasonography. Indirect evidence suggests that this syndrome may be associated with an increased risk of testicular malignancy and infertility.Materials and MethodsA total of 1,439 patients undergoing scrotal ultrasound during a 6-year, 5-month period (January 2003 to May 2009) were retrospectively reviewed. Any possible association of TM with pathologic findings was assessed. Among patients with TM, further grading of TM with testicular cancer and semen analysis of the infertile group with TM were also performed.ResultsTM was diagnosed in 87 patients (6.0%) out of a total of 1,439. Of all established pathologic entities, only testicular malignancy and infertility were meaningfully associated with TM. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of testicular cancer between each grade. Seminal profiles (sperm count, motility, morphology, and white blood cell count) were not found to be statistically different between infertile men with and without TM.ConclusionsThe prevalence of TM in symptomatic men was found to be 6.0% with significant co-occurrence of TM, testicular cancer, and infertility. Further grading of TM does not seem to be essential with regard to the detection of patients with testicular cancer and TM. TM showed no significant effect on the seminal profiles of infertile men.

Testicular microlithiasis: Correlation with doppler sonography of testicular arteries and sperm function

“…This structure is responsible for the characteristic US appearances of multiple small (1–2 mm) nonshadowing echoes randomly scattered in the parenchyma of the testis. In symptomatic patients, estimates of the prevalence of TM range from as low as 0.6% and as high as 18.1% with a median reported rate of about 3% . In our study, the prevalence of TM was 5.3%, which is within the range reported in the literature and is lower than the prevalence rate reported in four relatively recent studies .…”

“…Prevalence rates as high as 5.6% have been reported in patients 18–35 years old . In symptomatic patients, a wider range of prevalence rates (0.6–18.1%) has been reported with a median of about 3% . Doppler US findings are regularly used to evaluate several scrotal disorders, such as varicocele, epididymo‐orchitis, and testicular infarction .…”

Testicular microlithiasis and dyspermia: Is there any correlation?

“…Other authors instead believe that not statistically significant correlation exists between MT and infertility (9) and exclude that there is a greater number of antisperm antibodies in patients with testicular microlithiasis (10), which could be the cause of infertility in men affected by MT.…”

“…Testicular microlithiasis (MT) is a quite rare ultrasound evidence, with a low prevalence, from 0.7 to 6%, as described in literature (1)(2)(3), although with the evolution of ultrasound machines, which allow the identification No conflict of interest declared.…”

Incidental Discovery of Testicular Microlithiasis: What Is the Importance of Ultrasound Surveillance Two Case Reports

“…Many studies have demonstrated an association between diffuse bilateral testicular microlithiasis (TM) and gonadal germ cell tumors and EGCTs [2, 3]. Nevertheless, it is still uncertain whether ultrasound surveillance is really necessary in patients with TM in the absence of other risk factors such as previous testicular cancer, a history of cryptorchidism or testicular atrophy [4].…”