title: Testicular Microlithiasis: Patient Compliance in a Two-Year Follow-Up Program.
abstract: Introduction:We present a retrospective 2-year follow-up cohort of 103 men with testicular microlithiasis (TML) and discuss patient compliance and the value of surveillance.Methods:A retrospective analysis of patients examined with scrotal ultrasonography (US) in the period from 2008 through 2010 was performed. A total of 103 men with TML were diagnosed and offered US follow-up every 6 months for 2 years. They were retrospectively analyzed regarding demographics and follow-up details, including the development of any kind of malignancy until March 2015, using the Danish Electronic Pathology Registry.Results:The prevalence of TML was 10.3%. Of the 103 men with TML, 23 (22.3%) had TML in the left testicle, 38 (36.9%) in the right (p=0.002), and 42 (40.8%) had bilateral TML. Patient compliance was low with 11.7% participating in all US follow-up examinations. 5 men presented risk factors (testicular atrophy (N=1) and previous testicular cancer (N=4)), but no cases of testicular malignancy were found in the follow-up period.Conclusion:The low patient compliance conflicts with the ESUR Scrotal Imaging Subcommittee guidelines that recommend scrotal US follow-up annually for TML until the age of 55 years. The fact that no cancers were found during follow-up using the pathology registry calls the value of follow-up into question.
authors.affiliation: Radiology, Vejle Hospital - Part of Sygehus Lillebaelt, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.affiliation: Urological Research Centre, Fredercia Hospital - Part of Sygehus Lillebaelt, Fredericia, Denmark.
authors.forename: P J S
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Osther
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pathology, Sygehus Lillebalt Vejle Sygehus, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Soerensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, DCCG South Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rafaelsen
keywords: follow-up; prevalence; testicular microlithiasis; testis cancer