Tubular Ectasia of the Rete Testis: A Benign Condition with a Sonographic Appearance that may be Misinterpreted as Malignant

Older, Robert A.; Watson, Laurence R.

doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)32769-6

Cited by 37 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…[12] Spermatocele and epididymal cysts are also commonly associated with ectatic rete testis. [34] While a testicular tumor may compress the efferent ducts and cause ectasia, the solid mass should be distinct from the rete testis dilation. So an associated adjacent tumor must be ruled out.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ectasia of the rete testis: Beware of this masquerader

2010

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ectasia of the rete testis: Beware of this masquerader

2010

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“…The condition that most closely resembles a serpentine ITV is tubular ectasia of the rete testis, which is also seen in the proximity of the mediastinum. 17 However, round or oval ITVs, especially when not totally anechoic, may mimic focal testicular lesions, including cystic neoplasms. 13 In 2 of our patients, an oval "solid" lesion in the testis was initially interpreted as a tumor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intratesticular Varicocele

Kessler

Meirsdorf

Graif

et al. 2005

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine

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Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gray scale and color Doppler appearances of intratesticular varicocele (ITV) in a relatively large series of men and to compare the findings with those previously reported. Methods. Fifteen ITVs found in 12 men referred for sonographic examination of a variety of scrotal conditions were retrospectively evaluated. Review of the side, location, shape, and diameter of the dilated veins, the presence of an extratesticular varicocele (ETV), and the color Doppler appearance of the ITV before and during the Valsalva maneuver was performed. Results. Seven (47%) of 15 ITVs were located in the left testis, 2 (13%) in the right, and 3 (20%) bilateral. Eighty-six percent of the ITVs were associated with an ipsilateral ETV. The locations of the ITVs were subcapsular in 60% of the cases and within or near the mediastinum of the testis in 40%. The shapes of the ITVs were tubular in 46%, oval in 27%, and both tubular and oval in the remaining 27%. Color Doppler imaging showed spontaneous flow in 60% of cases, whereas in the remaining 40%, the blood flow could be seen only after the Valsalva maneuver. Conclusions. Intratesticular varicocele is a rare condition with a variable clinical and sonographic appearance. It is usually associated with ETV. It occurs in the left, right, or both testes and may be subcapsular or mediastinal in location. The prevalence of a subcapsular location of ITVs in this series was by far higher than previously mentioned in the literature. The Valsalva maneuver plays a very important role in the diagnosis of ITV because in almost half of cases, the flow will not show up spontaneously. 2-14 It has been defined sonographically as tubular or oval structures with a diameter of 2 mm or greater in and around the mediastinum testis with venous flow and a positive Valsalva maneuver response. 9 The clinical importance of this condition has not been established yet, but awareness of its appearance on sonography is important to differentiate it from other focal testicular lesions, including malignancy.The aim of this study was to describe the gray scale and color Doppler appearances in a relatively large series of men with ITVs and to compare the findings with those previously reported.

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“…Die tubuläre Ektasie des Rete testis (TERT) ist definiert als ein intratestikulä-res, vom Hodenhilus ausgehendes Areal, das zahlreiche dicht aneinander gelagerte echofreie (zystische) Läsionen enthält ( [20,25]; . Abb.…”

Section: Originalien Hintergrund Und Fragestellungunclassified