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Eyer de Jesus L, Paz de Oliveira AP, Porto LC, Dekermacher S. Testicular adrenal rest tumors - Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. J Pediatr Urol 2024; 20:77-87. [PMID: 37845103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) are common in males suffering from congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Correct and timely diagnosis is important for differential diagnosis with malignant testis tumors, related infertility and as TART may worsen in time, especially in the absence of adequate and continuous hormonal control. The rarity of the disease, predominance of small cohorts and case reports and research heterogeneity (concerning type of CAH, patients' age and specific focus of the paper) complicate the understanding of this condition. OBJECTIVES To review epidemiological and clinical aspects of TART, including treatment and prognosis. METHODS Non-systematic review of CAH-related TART research. RESULTS TART's prevalence grows progressively over time, predominating after puberty, affecting a mean of 20-40 % of CAH males. There is no proof of more frequent proportional affection of specific CAH phenotypes or types of enzyme deficiency, but cases of TART among non-classic CAH patients have been rarely reported. Chronic undertreated are more frequently affected and present larger tumors. Systematic ultrasound screening of CAH males is the state-of-the art for diagnosis, but TART are still often diagnosed in CAH adults seeking infertility treatment. TART are usually asymptomatic and present normal testicular volume. Biopsies are not recommended, except when the differential diagnosis between TART and testicular tumors cannot be guaranteed. Abnormal semen analysis is common. Leydig cell tumors are the main differential diagnosis, due to histological similarities to TART. Misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary orchiectomies. Preservation of gonadal functions is inversely proportional to the total tumor volume. Tumors tend to regress under adequate adrenal suppression with steroids. Surgery in not indicated to treat TART. DISCUSSION The reported prevalence of TART depends on age, usage of systematic follow-up ultrasound, and adequate CAH control. Timely detection of the disease is important to avoid irreversible gonadal dysfunction (not clinically apparent, due to high serum levels of androgen) and infertility. The relationship between TART and specific CAH phenotypes/genotypes has not been proved, and some cases do not present abnormal serum ACTH levels. Knowledge about TART should be disseminated among non-experts, to avoid unnecessary orchiectomies and false diagnosis of malignant testis tumors. Infertility is frequent, but has not been not satisfactorily addressed by physicians, even among experts. Sperm cryopreservation should be early offered to CAH adult males, but there are offer problems related to high cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisieux Eyer de Jesus
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Servidores Do Estado Hospital, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Ana Paula Paz de Oliveira
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Servidores Do Estado Hospital, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiza Coutinho Porto
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Servidores Do Estado Hospital, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Samuel Dekermacher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Servidores Do Estado Hospital, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Schröder MAM, Neacşu M, Adriaansen BPH, Sweep FCGJ, Ahmed SF, Ali SR, Bachega TASS, Baronio F, Birkebæk NH, de Bruin C, Bonfig W, Bryce J, Clemente M, Cools M, Elsedfy H, Globa E, Guran T, Güven A, Amr NH, Janus D, Taube NL, Markosyan R, Miranda M, Poyrazoğlu Ş, Rees A, Salerno M, Stancampiano MR, Vieites A, de Vries L, Yavas Abali Z, Span PN, Claahsen-van der Grinten HL. Hormonal control during infancy and testicular adrenal rest tumor development in males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a retrospective multicenter cohort study. Eur J Endocrinol 2023; 189:460-468. [PMID: 37837609 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs), often found in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), are benign lesions causing testicular damage and infertility. We hypothesize that chronically elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone exposure during early life may promote TART development. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the association between commencing adequate glucocorticoid treatment early after birth and TART development. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective multicenter (n = 22) open cohort study collected longitudinal clinical and biochemical data of the first 4 years of life using the I-CAH registry and included 188 male patients (median age 13 years; interquartile range: 10-17) with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (n = 181) or 11-hydroxylase deficiency (n = 7). All patients underwent at least 1 testicular ultrasound. RESULTS TART was detected in 72 (38%) of the patients. Prevalence varied between centers. When adjusted for CAH phenotype, a delayed CAH diagnosis of >1 year, compared with a diagnosis within 1 month of life, was associated with a 2.6 times higher risk of TART diagnosis. TART onset was not predicted by biochemical disease control or bone age advancement in the first 4 years of life, but increased height standard deviation scores at the end of the 4-year study period were associated with a 27% higher risk of TART diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE A delayed CAH diagnosis of >1 year vs CAH diagnosis within 1 month after birth was associated with a higher risk of TART development, which may be attributed to poor disease control in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariska A M Schröder
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboudumc Graduate School, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mihaela Neacşu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboudumc Graduate School, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bas P H Adriaansen
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboudumc Graduate School, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Fred C G J Sweep
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboudumc Graduate School, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S Faisal Ahmed
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Office of Rare Conditions, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Salma R Ali
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Office of Rare Conditions, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Tânia A S S Bachega
- Laboratory of Hormones and Molecular Genetics-LIM 42, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Federico Baronio
- Department Hospital of Woman and Child, Pediatric Unit, IRCCS AOU di Bologna, Policlinico di S.Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Niels Holtum Birkebæk
- Department of Pediatrics and Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christiaan de Bruin
- Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Walter Bonfig
- Department of Pediatrics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Austria
| | - Jillian Bryce
- Office of Rare Conditions, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Clemente
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, CIBERER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martine Cools
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Internal Medicine and Pediatric Research Unit, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heba Elsedfy
- Pediatrics Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Evgenia Globa
- Ukrainian Research Center of Endocrine Surgery, Endocrine Organs and Tissue Transplantation, MOH of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Tulay Guran
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayla Güven
- Baskent University Medical Faculty, Istanbul Hospital, Pediatrics Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Dominika Janus
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, and Children's University Hospital, Krakow, Poland
| | - Nina Lenherr Taube
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Mirela Miranda
- Laboratory of Hormones and Molecular Genetics-LIM 42, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Şükran Poyrazoğlu
- İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Unit of Pediatric Endocrinology, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Aled Rees
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Mariacarolina Salerno
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Rita Stancampiano
- Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Endo-ERN Center for Rare Endocrine Conditions, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Vieites
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liat de Vries
- The Jesse Z and Sara Lea Shafer Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, National Center for Childhood Diabetes, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel and Felsenstein Medical Research Center at Petach Tikva, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Zehra Yavas Abali
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Paul N Span
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboudumc Graduate School, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Saleh SR, Manaa A, Sheta E, Ghareeb DA, Abd-Elmonem NM. The Synergetic Effect of Egyptian Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane) and Cichorium intybus L. (Chicory) Extracts against Glucocorticoid-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats through Attenuation of Oxidative Reactions and Autophagy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11071272. [PMID: 35883763 PMCID: PMC9311541 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term glucocorticoids can alter sperm motility, vitality, or morphology, disrupting male reproductive function. This study scrutinized the synergistic benefits of two Egyptian plants against dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced testicular and autophagy dysfunction in male rats. Phytochemical ingredients and the combination index were estimated for Purslane ethanolic extract (PEE) and Chicory water extract (CWE). Four control groups received saline and 100 mg/kg of each PEE, CWE, and PEE/CWE, daily for 8 weeks. Dexa (1 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks) induced infertility where PEE, CWE, and PEE/CWE were given. Seminal analysis, male hormones, glycemic and oxidative stress markers, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers (Sigma 1R and GRP78), and autophagy regulators (Phospho-mTOR, LC3I/II, PI3KC3, and Beclin-1, P62, ATG5, and ATG7) were measured. The in vitro study illustrated the synergistic (CI < 1) antioxidant capacity of the PEE/CWE combination. Dexa exerts testicular damage by inducing oxidative reactions, a marked reduction in serum testosterone, TSH and LH levels, insulin resistance, ER stress, and autophagy. In contrast, the PEE and CWE extracts improve fertility hormones, sperm motility, and testicular histological alterations through attenuating oxidative stress and autophagy, with a synergistic effect upon combination. In conclusion, the administration of PEE/CWE has promised ameliorative impacts on male infertility and can delay disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar R. Saleh
- Bio-Screening and Preclinical Trial Lab, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21515, Egypt; (A.M.); (D.A.G.); (N.M.A.-E.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +20-122-573-2849; Fax: +2-(03)-391-1794
| | - Ashraf Manaa
- Bio-Screening and Preclinical Trial Lab, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21515, Egypt; (A.M.); (D.A.G.); (N.M.A.-E.)
| | - Eman Sheta
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21131, Egypt;
| | - Doaa A. Ghareeb
- Bio-Screening and Preclinical Trial Lab, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21515, Egypt; (A.M.); (D.A.G.); (N.M.A.-E.)
| | - Nihad M. Abd-Elmonem
- Bio-Screening and Preclinical Trial Lab, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21515, Egypt; (A.M.); (D.A.G.); (N.M.A.-E.)
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Nowotny HF, Auer MK, Lottspeich C, Schmidt H, Dubinski I, Bidlingmaier M, Adaway J, Hawley J, Keevil B, Reisch N. Salivary Profiles of 11-oxygenated Androgens Follow a Diurnal Rhythm in Patients With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e4509-e4519. [PMID: 34165575 PMCID: PMC8530726 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Several studies have highlighted the importance of the 11-oxygenated 19-carbon (11oxC19) adrenal-derived steroids as potential biomarkers for monitoring patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD). OBJECTIVE To analyze circadian rhythmicity of 11oxC19 steroids in saliva profiles and evaluate their relevance as potential monitoring parameters in 21OHD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional single-center study including 59 patients with classic 21OHD (men = 30; women = 29) and 49 body mass index- and age-matched controls (men = 19; women = 30). OUTCOME MEASURES Salivary concentrations of the following steroids were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11OHA4), and 11-ketotestosterone (11KT). RESULTS Similar to the previously described rhythmicity of 17OHP, 11OHA4 and 11KT concentrations followed a distinct diurnal rhythm in both patients and controls with highest concentrations in the early morning and declining throughout the day (11-OHA4: mean reduction of hormone concentrations between timepoint 1 and 5 (Δ mean) in male patients = 66%; male controls Δ mean = 83%; female patients Δ mean = 47%; female controls Δ mean = 86%; 11KT: male patients Δ mean = 57%; male controls Δ mean = 63%; female patients Δ mean = 50%; female controls Δ mean = 76%). Significant correlations between the area under the curve for 17OHP and 11KT (rpmale = 0.773<0.0001; rpfemale = 0.737<0.0001), and 11OHA4 (rpmale = 0.6330.0002; rpfemale = 0.5640.0014) were observed in patients but not present or reduced in controls. CONCLUSIONS Adrenal 11oxC19 androgens are secreted following a diurnal pattern. This should be considered when evaluating their utility for monitoring treatment control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Franziska Nowotny
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias K Auer
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Lottspeich
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Heinrich Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Dr. von Haunersches Children’s Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ilja Dubinski
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Dr. von Haunersches Children’s Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Bidlingmaier
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jo Adaway
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - James Hawley
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Brian Keevil
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicole Reisch
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
- Correspondence: Nicole Reisch, Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Ziemssenstr. 1, 80336 München, Germany.
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San Martín P, Eugenio Russmann ML, Mendeluk G, Fierro MF, Marino R, Pardes E. Classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) in adult males: Clinical presentation, hormone function and the detection of adrenal and testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs). ENDOCRINOL DIAB NUTR 2021; 68:227-235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.endinu.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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San Martín P, Eugenio Russmann ML, Mendeluk G, Fierro MF, Marino R, Pardes E. Classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) in adult males: Clinical presentation, hormone function and the detection of adrenal and testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs). ENDOCRINOL DIAB NUTR 2021; 68:227-235. [PMID: 34266634 DOI: 10.1016/j.endien.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). In adulthood, most studies are reported in females. By contrast, data on adult males are scarce. OBJECTIVE To describe a series of adult males with classic 21-OHD and to assess the presence of adrenal masses and testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs). MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight males (21-42 years) were included. We evaluated clinical presentation, 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), Testosterone (T), Δ4Androstenedione (Δ4A) ACTH, LH, FSH and plasma renin activitiy (PRA) levels at consultation. Molecular studies of the CYP21A2 gene, testicular ultrasound (US), semen analysis and adrenal computed tomography (CT) scan were performed. Treatment and compliance were assessed. RESULTS Basal 17-OHP levels were >20ng/ml in all patients. At consultation, median 17OH-P was 11.5 (2.3-81) ng/ml, FSH: 3 (0.3-4) mUI/ml, LH: 1.1 (0.1-6) mUI/ml, T: 4.3 (1.7-8) ng/ml, Δ4A: 5.7 (1.4-16) ng/ml, ACTH: 86.4 (76-334) pg/ml, PRA: 9.5 (1.3-23.6) ng/ml/h. Semen analysis was performed in 5/8 patients, showing azoospermia in two. Molecular genetic analysis was performed in 4/8 patients. TARTs were found in 5/6, being bilateral in four. Adrenal masses were found in 4/6. In the 7 patients diagnosed in childhood, their follow-up was referred to as irregular, both in their attendance at consultations and in compliance with the indicated treatment. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first series on adult males with classic 21-OHD which concomitantly assesses clinical presentation, molecular biology, adrenal and testicular imaging studies, semen analysis and compliance to treatment. A high prevalence of adrenal masses and TARTs was observed, possibly associated with poor treatment compliance leading to elevated ACTH and increased proliferation. Our findings on TARTs agree with reports in international publications of CAH in males, with adrenal imaging being added in our group. Although we are aware that further studies with a larger sample size and more data are needed, we consider that our findings contribute to the clinical management of classical 21-OHD in the male population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia San Martín
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Urquiza 609, Zip Code 1221, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | - Gabriela Mendeluk
- Unit of Clinical Cytology, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Urquiza 609, Zip Code 1221, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Fabiana Fierro
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Urquiza 609, Zip Code 1221, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roxana Marino
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital de Pediatría JP Garrahan, Pichincha 1890, Zip Code 1245, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ester Pardes
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Urquiza 609, Zip Code 1221, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Corcioni B, Renzulli M, Marasco G, Baronio F, Gambineri A, Ricciardi D, Ortolano R, Farina D, Gaudiano C, Cassio A, Pagotto U, Golfieri R. Prevalence and ultrasound patterns of testicular adrenal rest tumors in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:562-573. [PMID: 33718059 PMCID: PMC7947447 DOI: 10.21037/tau-20-998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) are benign neoplasms affecting patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The prevalence of TART in adult patients with CAH is not well known. Ultrasonography (US) is the main tool for diagnosing TART and the role of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) is never investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the TART prevalence in adults with CAH, by stratifying patients according to disease phenotype and assessing the diagnostic performance of US, color Doppler (CD) US and CEUS. Methods Male patients >16 years old with certain diagnosis of CAH who underwent US for TARTs, between December 2015 and September 2019 were prospectively enrolled. The control group included patients without CAH affected by testicular lesions at US other than TARTs. Results TARTs were identified in 16 of 52 patients (31%), of whom 15 (93.8%) displayed the salt-wasting (SW) form (P<0.001). The prevalence of TARTs in patients with the SW form was 54%. One patient with the non-classic (NC) form (6%) showed TART (likely the first documented case). The mean age of patients upon detection of TARTs was significantly younger compared with the control group (P<0.001); moreover, TARTs were bilateral in 15/16 patients (93.8%; P<0.001) and the largest lesion was more frequent in the medium third of testis in the TART group (87.5%), statistically different from the control group (P=0.013). Conclusions TARTs almost exclusively affected patients with the SW form of CAH. Age at diagnosis and bilateralism are useful factors for achieving a correct diagnosis of TARTs in CAH adult patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beniamino Corcioni
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Renzulli
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marasco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Baronio
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gambineri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Domenico Ricciardi
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Ortolano
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Farina
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Caterina Gaudiano
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cassio
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Uberto Pagotto
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Golfieri
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Disorders of Sex Development-Novel Regulators, Impacts on Fertility, and Options for Fertility Preservation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072282. [PMID: 32224856 PMCID: PMC7178030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders (or differences) of sex development (DSD) are a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions with variations in chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Impaired gonadal development is central to the pathogenesis of the majority of DSDs and therefore a clear understanding of gonadal development is essential to comprehend the impacts of these disorders on the individual, including impacts on future fertility. Gonadal development was traditionally considered to involve a primary 'male' pathway leading to testicular development as a result of expression of a small number of key testis-determining genes. However, it is increasingly recognized that there are several gene networks involved in the development of the bipotential gonad towards either a testicular or ovarian fate. This includes genes that act antagonistically to regulate gonadal development. This review will highlight some of the novel regulators of gonadal development and how the identification of these has enhanced understanding of gonadal development and the pathogenesis of DSD. We will also describe the impact of DSDs on fertility and options for fertility preservation in this context.
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