title: Significance of testicular microlithiasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Testicular microlithiasis is an uncommon condition characterized by calcifications within the seminiferous tubules. The true prevalence in a normal population has not been defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature with emphasis on the connection between testicular microlithiasis and testicular malignancy was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Testicular microlithiasis is associated with different testicular pathologies, including testicular cancer. However, a direct causative connection between testicular microlithiasis and testicular pathologies is not supported by the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with testicular microlithiasis should be followed up regularly. Further investigations concerning the etiology of testicular microlithiasis remain to be done.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Stefan.Zastrow@uniklinikum-dresden.de
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zastrow
authors.forename: Oliver W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Hakenberg
authors.forename: Manfred P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Wirth
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology