title: Testicular calcification and microlithiasis: association with primary intra-testicular malignancy in 3,477 patients.
abstract: The prevalence of all forms of scrotal and testicular calcification and their association with testicular tumour in a symptomatic paediatric and adult population was investigated. A retrospective study of all testicular ultrasound examinations performed at a single centre over a 5-year period was undertaken. All studies were performed by experienced operators, recorded in a standard method, using high-frequency linear array transducers (> or =10 MHz). All available images (95.2%) were reviewed by experienced operators, recording the location and type of scrotal and testicular calcification according to a pre-determined schedule. A total of 3,854 studies were reviewed on 3,477 patients (age range: 1 month to 91 years). In the adult group, 3,279 examinations were analysed. Prevalence of testicular microlithiasis (TM) was 2.0%, and the prevalence of other non-microlithiasis testicular calcification (non-TM calcification) was 1.7%. Testicular tumour was associated with TM (odds ratio 9.5, P<0.001) and non-TM calcification (odds ratio 11.4, P<0.001) but not with other types of scrotal calcification. A total of 198 paediatric examinations were analysed. Prevalence of TM was 2.0% and the prevalence of non-TM calcification was 0.5%. One tumour (lymphoma) was identified, with no associated calcification. This study confirms the reported association between TM and testicular tumour and finds a previously unreported association between non-TM calcification and testicular tumour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Fiona N A C
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Shantini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosairo
authors.forename: Jane L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Seshadri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sriprasad
authors.forename: Gordon H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sidhu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional