Testicular microlithiasis: association with male infertility.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the frequency of testicular microlithiasis (TM) in a select group of otherwise healthy infertile men with abnormal semen.


METHODS
We reviewed scrotal sonography records of 180 consecutive patients with abnormal semen who were referred for evaluation of male infertility. The pampiniform plexus was evaluated for possible varicocele, and the testes were examined for the presence or absence of intratesticular calcifications and/or masses. Five patients with more than 5 echogenic foci per transducer field in either testis were identified. The medical records and sonograms of this subgroup of patients were analyzed.


RESULTS
Of the 180 patients, 5 (2.8%) had TM. Three patients with TM had concomitant small varicoceles; 2 others had a history of testicular maldescent. Two patients eventually became fertile.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate a higher than expected frequency of TM in otherwise healthy infertile men. We speculate that the magnitude of hypospermatogenesis in patients with TM is variable and may relate to both the degree of testicular dysgenesis and the presence or absence of concomitant scrotal pathology (eg, scrotal varicocele and cryptorchidism).
Aizenstein
R I
RI
Department of Radiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, USA.
DiDomenico
D
D
Wilbur
A C
AC
O'Neil
H K
HK
D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013737:Testis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014646:Varicocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging