[Testicular microlithiasis associated with infertility].
OBJECTIVE
A case of testicular microlithiasis that had been incidentally diagnosed by ultrasound in a patient undergoing evaluation for infertility is described and the literature briefly reviewed.


METHODS
The clinical, laboratory (routine blood and urine tests, hormone studies, spermiogram) and testicular ultrasound findings in a 28-year-old male who consulted for infertility are presented.


RESULTS
Serum FSH and LH were raised and testosterone fell within the lower ranges. The spermiogram revealed azoospermia. US evaluation showed bilateral small hyperechoic foci without posterior acoustic shadowing, dispersed within a normal testicular parenchyma.


CONCLUSIONS
Testicular microlithiasis is a rare entity which is usually discovered incidentally during testicular ultrasound evaluation for other conditions such as infertility. The underlying condition (calcium in the seminiferous duct lumen) has a specific ultrasonographic appearance and further studies are not required to make the diagnosis. The patho-genesis and the clinical implications of microlithiasis remain unclear, therefore any associated pathology, such as tumor, infertility, systemic diseases, or chromosomal disorders, must be ruled out. Regular US follow-up is advocated.
González Sánchez
F J
FJ
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Santos Reyes, Aranda de Duero, Burgos, España.
Encinas Gaspar
M B
MB
Napal Lecumberri
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002137:Calculi / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications*