title: Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.
abstract: Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis is a very rare tumor that is not usually diagnosed until surgery is undertaken. In only a few cases has the correct diagnosis been obtained preoperatively by cytologic examination of fluid from the hydrocele. We describe a case of mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis that was suspected on sonography because of the presence of a hydrocele and focal nodularities. The diagnosis was confirmed preoperatively by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology aimed at 1 of the focal nodularities. Our patient was an 85-year-old man with concomitant cancer of the sigmoid colon; because of his age and the spread of his colon cancer, we did not remove the scrotal lesion. We recommend consideration of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of the solid masses instead of the fluid from the hydrocele in cases of suspected malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Verona, Istituto di Radiologia dell'Università, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 1, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minniti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Procacci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods