Testicular microlithiasis: analysis of prevalence and associated testicular cancer in Taiwanese men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of testicular microlithiasis (TM) in Taiwanese males who were referred for scrotal sonography (US) and to evaluate the association between TM and cancer, with state-of-the-art equipment.


METHODS
This retrospective study included 513 males who underwent scrotal US in a period of 7 months. The US images and charts of each patient were reviewed to determine the presence of TM and note relevant clinical information.


RESULTS
The data for all 513 patients were analyzed. Their age was 0-91 years (mean, 54.3 years). The overall incidence of TM was 14.4% (74/513); 6.2% (32/513) had classic TM, and 8.2% had limited TM. The incidence of testicular cancer in this population was 1.6% (8/513). Six of eight (75%) patients who had testicular cancer at presentation had classic TM or limited TM. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the rate of malignancy in subjects with TM (6/74) and that in subjects without TM (2/439).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of TM in Taiwanese people may be higher than previously reported, which may be due to the difference in methodology and increased awareness of the US findings. Although there was a significant difference in the rate of malignancy in males with TM compared with those without TM, the question remains whether TM independently increases the risk of testicular malignancy.
Chen
Jian-Ling
JL
Department of Radiology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, and National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chou
Yi-Hong
YH
Tiu
Chui-Mei
CM
Chiou
Hong-Jen
HJ
Wang
Hsin-Kai
HK
Chiou
See-Ying
SY
Liang
I-Ping
IP
Lee
Chien-Ho
CH
Chang
Cheng-Yen
CY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult