Characteristics of symptomatic men with testicular microlithiasis – A Danish cross‐sectional questionnaire study

Abstract

SummaryTesticular microlithiasis (TML) is an incidental finding at ultrasonography of the scrotum. A link between testicular microlithiasis and testicular cancer has been suggested. However, the majority of studies are retrospective using ultrasonography with minor data on health status and life style characteristics. Our objective was to investigate if lifestyle and health are associated with TML. In 2014, we conducted a self‐administered questionnaire survey including 1538 men, who all due to testicular/scrotal symptoms had an ultrasound investigation of the scrotum during 2004–2013. The men were divided into men with TML and men without. The 23‐items questionnaire included items on age, height, weight, lifestyle (alcohol consumptions, smoking habits, workload, exercise and food), previous diseases in the testicles, pain and consumption of analgesics. The prevalence of TML was 12.8%. Overall, lifestyle factors did not vary between men with or without TML. However, men with TML did consume more crisp than men without. Development of TML was not associated to classic life style factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking habits, or mothers smoking during pregnancy. Also, age and height could not be linked to presence of TML. We did find, however, that men with TML experienced less physical activity and consumed more crisp than men without TML. Since ingestion of crisps has potential carcinogenic effect (acrylamide), this finding needs confirmation in a separate study.

Testicular microlithiasis: what urologists should know. A review of the current literature

“…New data suggests some differences. Men with TM reported significantly less physical exercise than men without microliths (38.6% vs. 48.2%, p = 0.011) [ 11 ]. The authors also suggest some discrepancies in food intake.…”

“…The authors also suggest some discrepancies in food intake. Men with TM consumed more crisps and popcorn than men without TM (35.6% vs. 22.0%, p <0.001) [ 11 ]. Crisps and popcorn contain acrylamide, which is known for its potential health hazards, but according to the American Cancer Society, it is not clear whether acrylamide consumption increases the risk of developing cancer [ 12 ].…”

“…Mothers smoking during pregnancy have been associated with testicular cancer in the male offspring [ 13 ]. Pederson et al found a negligibly more widespread tendency for men affected with TM to have been exposed to maternal smoking than men without it [ 11 ]. Another potential analysed factor of TM is men's height (known risk factor of testicular cancer).…”

“…Another potential analysed factor of TM is men's height (known risk factor of testicular cancer). Pederson et al reported no differences in height between men with and without TM [ 11 ]. There exists an interesting piece of research concerning TM and its relation to ethnicity and socioeconomic status.…”

Association between testicular microlithiasis and varicocele in infertile men: A comparative study

“…Eventually, some investigators demonstrated an association between varicocele and TM [17,18] . Unfortunately, most TM studies were retrospective with limited background information [13] . We sought in this study to evaluate prospectively the association between TM among infertile patients with varicoceles.…”