Testicular microlithiasis--a possibly premalignant condition. Report of five cases and a review of the literature.
Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is a rare condition characterized by the presence of multiple small intratesticular calcifications. The etiology is unknown but the condition has been observed in a variety of different urological conditions. We report on 5 cases diagnosed by ultrasonography at our departments from 1992 to 1994. A review of the literature plus our present 5 cases gives a total of 124 reported cases of TM. TM was associated with testicular malignancy in 44 patients (35%) of whom 24 (19%) had a seminoma and 20 (16%) a non-seminoma. There were 4 reports of testicular malignancy developing in patients with a prior diagnosis of TM. The condition should be considered premalignant and a careful follow-up of TM patients is advocated.
Department of Radiology, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Berger
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Brabrand
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002137:Calculi / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018239:Seminoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography