Prevalence of testicular microlithiasis in asymptomatic males 0 to 19 years old.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the prevalence of testicular microlithiasis via ultrasound in asymptomatic males 0 to 19 years old.


METHODS
We studied only patients with 2 scrotal testes at birth and at examination. We excluded boys with a history of undescended testis, hydrocele, varicocele and syndromes associated with testicular microlithiasis. To assess for testicular microlithiasis, we scanned the scrotum ultrasonographically by recording transverse and longitudinal images of each testis. Classic testicular microlithiasis was defined as 5 or more echogenic foci in either or both testes. Boys with fewer than 5 microliths (but with at least 1) were deemed to have limited testicular microlithiasis.


RESULTS
We examined 694 asymptomatic boys between October 2007 and July 2008, of whom 670 participated in the study. Classic testicular microlithiasis was present in 16 boys (2.4%) and limited testicular microlithiasis in 12 (1.8%), yielding a total prevalence of 4.2%. Classic testicular microlithiasis was found in 1 patient younger than 6 years, 8 boys 6 to 12 years old and 7 boys older than 12 years. There was a significant difference in prevalence among the 3 age groups (p = 0.032). Testicular malignancies were not found in any patient. Of the 24 boys excluded from the study testicular microlithiasis was seen in 4.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of classic testicular microlithiasis in asymptomatic boys is 2.4% and increases with age.
Goede
J
J
Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center Alkmaar, Alkmaar and Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Delft (FHP), The Netherlands. j.goede@mca.nl
Hack
W W M
WW
van der Voort-Doedens
L M
LM
Sijstermans
K
K
Pierik
F H
FH
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult