Testis sparing surgery for Leydig cell pathologies in children

Ultrasound contrast-enhanced diagnosis of testicular Leydig cell tumor: A case report and literature review

Leydig cell tumor (LCT) is a rare testicular tumor. We report a case of an elderly male patient who discovered a left testicular mass during a regular health examination four years ago. The patient did not experience any significant discomfort and opted for regular follow-up visits. During the most recent visit, we performed routine ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations. By observing the lesion's location, echogenicity, margins, vascular distribution, as well as the rapid enhancement and slow washout characteristics on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, we arrived at a diagnosis of LCT. Subsequently, the patient underwent left inguinal orchiectomy. Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of LCT. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive review of LCT-related literature from PubMed and SCOPUS, summarizing the clinical features, follow-up duration, prognosis, and ultrasound characteristics associated with LCT.

Frozen-section examination in the management of paediatric testicular lesions

PURPOSE

Paediatric testicular and para-testicular lesions have traditionally been managed according to adult protocols. Testis-sparing surgery (TSS) has gained popularity as it has become apparent benign lesions predominate in childhood. Frozen-section examination (FSE) for intra-operative diagnosis has been extensively utilised in adults, though its use in paediatric practice remains limited. We reviewed our experience of FSE in paediatric patients with an aim to identify the utility and efficacy of this tool in the management of testicular and para-testicular pathology.

METHODS

A retrospective, single-centre review of paediatric patients who underwent intra-operative FSE for a range of testicular and para-testicular lesions was performed. FSE results were compared to final pathology. TSS was performed if appropriate, and was utilised in adolescent patients, and in lesions with a diameter greater than 20 mm.

RESULTS

Nine males underwent FSE from 2013 to 2020. Median age at surgery was 9 years (range 1-15). Eight (89%) patients had benign pathology. FSE result correlated with the final pathological examination in 100% of cases. FSE facilitated TSS in 7/9 cases.

CONCLUSION

FSE has 100% diagnostic accuracy for paediatric testicular and para-testicular pathology. We would recommend all lesions be evaluated by FSE to guide intra-operative decision making and facilitate TSS in appropriate cases.

Testis-Sparing Surgery for Non-Palpable Leydig Cell Tumors in Prepubertal Children

Leydig cell tumor (LCT) is an infrequent stromal neoplasm of the testis with an incidence of less than 3% of all gonadal tumors in the general male population. Only 25% is found in prepubertal children, where Leydig cell tumors are always reported benign. The hospital records of two prepubertal male children, who underwent organ sparing surgery for testicular LCT the last five years, were retrospectively reviewed. In both of them, the lesion was incidentally found during a scrotal ultrasonography for testicular pain. The diagnosis of a benign LCT was based on the pre-operative physical examination and imaging (Ultrasound-US, Magnetic Resonance Imaging-MRI) as well as the negative tumor markers. A testicle-sparing procedure was decided and the pathologic examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis. No tumor recurrence was noted on follow-up. Testis-sparing surgery provides the possibility of complete excision of such lesions and should be considered as the treatment of choice.

[Testicular tumors in prepubertal boys-organ preservation possible more often than expected]

In prepubertal boys, testicular tumors are rare with an incidence between 2 and 5/million. In contrast to testicular tumors in adolescents and adults, more than 2/3 of these tumors are benign. Unfortunately, in Germany in most cases, only malignant tumors (usually yolk sac tumors) are reported to the study center (MAKEI IV and now V). Therefore, the incidence in Germany is unknown. Since the introduction of polychemotherapy in the 1970s, the prognosis of malignant testicular tumors has improved enormously and has become a curable disease, even in the case of recurrence. Today the orchiectomy, which was usually carried out in the past, appears to be no longer justified in most prepubertal boys due to the high incidence of benign tumors. It has been shown in various studies that organ-sparing surgery in germ cell tumors (epidermoid cysts, teratoma); gonadal stoma tumors (Sertoli, Leydig and granulosa cell tumors) and cystic lesions (intratesticular cysts and tubular ectasia of the rete testis) is reliable and safe. In cases with preoperative significantly increased AFP (caution: norm values not valid in the first year of life) and a clear testicular tumor in the ultrasound (yolk sac tumor) or if no testicular parenchyma is sonographically detectable, orchiectomy can still be carried out. Today orchiectomies in prepubertal boys should be an exception and the reasons for an orchiectomy must be well documented.

Atypical presentation of Leydig cell tumour in three prepubertal patients: diagnosis, treatment and outcomes

Background Testicular tumours are uncommon in children, accounting for only 1% of all childhood tumours. Prepubertal Leydig cell tumours actively secrete testosterone and as a result, patients typically present with isosexual precocious pseudopuberty, this being the first cause of consultation. We present three cases of Leydig cell tumours in prepubertal patients with an atypical presentation. Methods We studied three cases of Leydig cell tumours in prepubertal boys, who either consulted for testicular asymmetry or were incidentally found to have the tumour in the absence of systemic signs of systemic hyperandrogenism or precocious puberty. In all cases, a well-circumscribed testicular mass was found by testicular ultrasound. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology. In all three cases, testicular enucleation was performed with satisfactory follow-up. Results Following the surgical procedure, during the follow-up, all patients showed a normal testicular volume in comparison with the contralateral testis. No complications were seen during follow-up. Conclusions A testicular ultrasound in children developing asymptomatic testicular asymmetry might be recommended due to its possible hormonal action locally. An early testicular ultrasound, testicular swelling discrepancies, tumour size and androgen production are key factors in the prognosis and management of this type of tumour.