Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumors in Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Case Series

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) are the main etiology of infertility in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The aim of this study is to determine the patients diagnosed with TART and to evaluate the risk factors associated with the development of the disease. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of 31 patients with CAH including 19 male, and 12 female patients who were followed up in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed regarding the presence of TART. Differences between clinical and laboratory findings of patients with and without TART were examined. Six male patients with TART were included in the study. Clinical characteristics such as pubertal stage, treatment doses, laboratory findings were evaluated. Changes in size of TARTs were examined with ultrasound follow-ups at six month- intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of TARTs was 31.5 % (6/19 male). Precocious puberty was higher in patients with TART than without TART. The mean age of the patients was 9.1±2.4 (range: 5.2-12.4) years at the time of diagnosis with TART. Five patients with TART were inadequately controlled. Four patients had a history of precocious puberty. Tumor progression was detected in 4 of 6 patients. In three patients with tumor progression, serum 17-hydroxy progesterone (17-OHP) values increased during follow-up, probably due to non-compliance with treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Scrotal ultrasound monitoring should be performed in all male patients with CAH in early childhood irrespective of disease control.