[Cystic ectasia of the rete testis].
OBJECTIVE
The cystic ectasia of the rete testis is a benign entity with a typical ultrasound appearance as a collection of small hypoechoic structures in the confluence of the mediastinum testis. The clinical importance of these entity remains on doing an adequate differential diagnosis with testicular neoplasias with a cystic component.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the database of the Ultrasound Unit in the Department of Urology looking for patients with a diagnosis of cystic ectasia of the rete testis over a six-year period.


RESULTS
Three cases of cystic ectasia of the rete testis were diagnosed over the six-year period, in all the indication for ultrasound was testicular pain. Mean patient age was 62 years. No patient developed testicular tumor on follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The knowledge of the ultrasound characteristics found in the cystic ectasia of the rete testis helps to make a proper diagnosis of this benign entity without the need of indication of testicular biopsy.
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Españia. carlospascualmateo@yahoo.es
Carlos
C
Pascual Mateo
Inmaculada
I
Fernández González
Marcos
M
Luján Galán
Nuria
N
Rodríguez García
Gino
G
Espinales Castro
Antonio
A
Berenguer Sánchez
D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012152:Rete Testis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography