Splenogonadal Fusion Presenting as an Asymptomatic Testicular Mass

Splenogonadal fusion: a case report of three cases and a literature review

Purpose

This case report aims to enhance the understanding of clinical physicians regarding splenogonadal fusion (SGF) and to help them consider SGF as a differential diagnosis when testicular tumors are suspected, thus avoiding unnecessary orchiectomies.

Methods

We report three cases of SGF admitted to our hospital, one of which presented as a suspected testicular tumor. We also searched the literature on scrotal masses from the last 25 years and summarize the characteristics of cases of SGF manifesting as scrotal swelling combined with our cases.

Results

After conducting a thorough search, we found a total of 24 publications relevant to this case study, which included 25 testes. All lesions were located on the left side, and the average age of those affected was 20.22 years. Seven cases were of the continuous type. Three cases presented with pain, all of which were intratesticular masses. Thirty cases had a definite onset duration, ranging from 3 weeks to 10 years. Nine patients (36%) underwent orchiectomy, and one underwent partial orchiectomy.

Conclusion

It is crucial to identify SGF in the clinic. When a patient presents with scrotal swelling, diagnosing SGF preoperatively is challenging, and it should be considered when there is a long history of a stable testicular mass. An intraoperative frozen section should be performed if a testicular tumor is suspected to avoid unnecessary orchiectomy.

Splenogonadal fusion: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Splenogondal fusion (SGF) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by abnormal association between the splenic tissue and the gonads or mesonephric remnants. SGF that requires separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexy on both the left and right sides is extremely rare. SGF could be misdiagnosed as testicular malignancy and leads to unnecessary orchiectomy.

Case presentation

This is a case of an 8-month old male infant presented with bilateral cryptorchidism, B-mode ultrasound visualized the left and right testes in the lower abdominal cavity and the upper margin of the left testicle as a hypoechoic mass extending to the spleen, indicating an undescended right testis and possible SGF on the left side. Single-site laparoscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of SGF on the left side and an undescended right testis. As both testes were high and the right spermatic vessel was poorly developed and short, a routine single stage orchiopexy would be difficult and risky, therefore, separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexies for both sides were implemented. Stage 1 of the staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexy for the right side was performed first without treating the left side, Stage 2 for the right side, separation of the left testis from the spleen as well as Stage 1 for the left side were performed 7 months later, and Stage 2 for the left side was performed 7 months after that. Follow-up ultrasound 1 year after the surgery revealed no obvious abnormalities in the shapes of the testes or their blood supply. This treatment strategy prevented unnecessary orchiectomy.

Conclusions

We reported a rare case of SGF that needed separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexies for both sides, and a review of the recent literature. SGF is a rare congenital anomaly often diagnosed incidentally during exploration/surgery for scrotal swelling/mass, cryptorchidism or inguinal hernia in young patients. Surgeons, especially pediatric surgeons should be aware of this rare condition to avoid unnecessary, life-altering radical orchiectomy. When routine single stage orchiopexy is not feasible or risky for either side, separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexies could be performed on both the left and right sides to avoid unnecessary orchiectomy.

Splenogonadal fusion: A rare case report and literature review

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare benign congenital anomaly with few cases described in the literature. It is 16 times more common in males than in females. A 22 year-old healthy male with cryptorchidism presented with preoperative imaging strongly suggestive of malignancy. Histopathology after left orchiectomy showed mixed splenic and testicular tissue with no sign of malignancy. Splenogonadal fusion is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. It should be included in differential diagnoses in patients presenting with a testicular or abdominal mass. Greater recognition of this rare anomaly may facilitate testis sparing surgery in future cases.

Splenogonadal fusion: A case of two lesions

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly that presents as a testicular mass and is clinically difficult to distinguish from primary malignancy. It is a benign condition which commonly results in a radical orchidectomy. This case report describes a 22-year-old male with a new multi-focal lesion discovered on self-examination. It aims to provide additional information in hopes of supporting other surgeons to diagnose this condition and prevent unnecessary radical orchidectomy.

A case of splenogonadal fusion accompanied by accessory spleen in a 4-year-old boy

Splenogonadal fusion (SGF) is a rare benign malformation in which spleen is aberrantly attached to the gonads or mesonephric derivatives. This entity often presents with scrotal mass, inguinal hernia, or cryptorchidism. Herein, we report our experience with a boy who presented with a scrotal enlargement which later turned out to be SGF. Moreover, an accessory spleen was unexpectedly found in the left inguinal canal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of SGF and accessory spleen in the literature. Although rare, SGF should be included in the complete differential diagnosis list of scrotal masses, especially in children. The use of frozen section pathology if available would aid the surgeon in avoiding unnecessary orchiectomy in small testicular masses of benign origin.