Segmental testicular infarction: sonographic findings and pathologic correlation

A case report of staged testicular infarction

Segmental testicular infarction is a rare clinical condition most often seen as acute unilateral scrotal pain. Segmental testicular infarction should be suspected in patients with scrotal pain; when an ultrasound shows hypoechoic or mixed echogenic lesions within the testicular parenchyma; contrast-enhanced ultrasound shows a little or no contrast filling, along with negative multiple tumor markers. This report presents a 60-year-old male who presented with sudden onset of left testicular pain with no apparent cause. Emergency Doppler ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and laboratory tests showed findings characteristic of Segmental testicular infarction. The patient the final diagnosis was based on a combination of clinical findings (regression or cessation of symptoms, no tumor marker abnormalities, no palpable testicular mass) and ultrasound evidence of improvement (size reduction or shape change from oval to wedge) during a follow-up period of at least 3 months.

Various Intratesticular Hypoechoic Lesions on Scrotal Sonography

Sonography with a high-frequency transducer is the modality of choice for imaging the scrotum. Most intratesticular lesions are hypoechoic. Differentiation of intratesticular hypoechoic lesions as either malignant or benign is important because the treatment of these lesions vary. In this paper, we review the sonographic features of different types of intratesticular hypoechoic lesions, such as testicular cysts, testicular tumors, testicular inflammatory lesions, segmental testicular infarction, and testicular trauma.

The role of contrast enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of segmental testicular infarction

A 43-year-old male presented to the emergency department with acute left testicular pain. Physical exam showed a tender left testicle and epididymis with mild swelling. Doppler and contrast enhanced ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous, avascular lesion with hyper vascularized surrounding. Follow-up contrast enhanced ultrasound performed a few days later showed persistence of the sparsely vascularized lesion with more hypoechoic echo structure.

Despite the tumor markers being negative, a necrotic tumor could not be ruled out and a left orchiectomy was performed. Pathology report described an extensive segmental testicular infarction with no evidence of malignant tissue.

We present the ultrasound and pathology findings, differential diagnostic pearls and clinical perspective of segmental testicular infarction.

Ultrasonography of the scrotum: Revisiting a classic technique

Conventional US is the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of the scrotum, due to its high resolution, availability, cost-effectiveness and absence of ionizing radiation. Grayscale and color Doppler US provide a comprehensive assessment of scrotal diseases. The technique represents the mainstay for imaging of acute scrotum. US is highly accurate in the detection, localization and characterization of scrotal masses. Multiparametric US, including conventional US, contrast-enhanced US and tissue elastography has improved the diagnostic performance of the technique in the assessment of testicular diseases. MRI represents a valuable supplemental imaging tool for the investigation of scrotal pathology, mainly recommended in cases of indeterminate US findings. Recommendations recently issued by the European Society of Urogenital Radiology Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group (ESUR-SPIWG) refer to the use of scrotal sonography for the evaluation of pathologic entities, including testicular microlithiasis, small, non-palpable incidentally detected testicular masses, varicocele and scrotal trauma. In this review, the technical specifications for scrotal US and the normal sonographic findings are presented. Grayscale and color Doppler US findings of common acute scrotal diseases and scrotal masses are discussed. The complimentary role of multiparametric US and scrotal MRI is addressed. ESUR-SPIWG's guidelines are also reviewed.

Testicular tumour, could it be benign? A clinical conundrum

Testicular vasculitis (TV) is a cause of testicular infarction (TI) which can lead to significant morbidity and rarely mortality. Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) is the most common vasculitis that leads to testicular infarction (TI). This case report describes the retrospective tissue diagnosis of autoimmune vasculitis in a middle aged Caucasian male who developed left unilateral orchalgia and a hard, palpable testicular mass.

[Segmental testicular infarction]

Segmental testicular infarction is a rare cause of acute scrotum and only a few cases have been reported. Torsion of the testis, testicular tumor and infection are important differential diagnoses. The present case report describes a 61-year-old man with left-sided testicular pain increasing over 24 h. The diagnosis of segmental testicular infarction was considered after color Doppler ultrasound of the left scrotum and it was confirmed by surgical exploration and pathological examination. Although it is uncommon, segmental testicular infarction should be taken into consideration when acute scrotal pain is encountered, especially for younger patients, since a testis-sparing treatment strategy can be performed.

Testicular Seminoma and Its Mimics: From the Radiologic Pathology Archives

Testicular seminoma is the most common malignant tumor of the testis. It classically manifests as a painless mass. Radiologic evaluation with high-frequency ultrasonography (US) is critical for diagnosis. Seminomas are usually homogeneously hypoechoic masses at US. In challenging cases, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may help confirm that a mass is intratesticular and provide data for local staging. Computed tomography (CT) provides valuable information for staging, including the presence and size of retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Testicular seminoma is treated with radical inguinal orchiectomy and is highly curable even at advanced stages of disease. Several neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions may mimic testicular seminoma at imaging. Benign mimics include segmental infarction, hematoma, infection, epidermoid cyst, adrenal rests, sarcoidosis, splenogonadal fusion, and sex cord-stromal tumors. Malignant mimics include nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, lymphoma, and metastases. These conditions are individually reviewed with emphasis on features that allow differentiation from seminoma. Spermatocytic tumor, formerly known as spermatocytic seminoma, accounts for only 1% of testicular tumors. It is distinct from classic seminoma, with unique histologic, molecular, and genetic features. It affects an older patient population than classic seminoma and demonstrates indolent clinical behavior. Radiologists serve a key role in diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of patients with seminoma. A thorough knowledge of related clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings will help the radiologist contribute to high-quality interdisciplinary care of affected patients.

Segmental testicular infarction: a case report

Background

Segmental testicular infarction is a very rare condition, which can mimic a testicular torsion or testicular cancer. Correct diagnosis is difficult but it is important to avoid unnecessary radical treatment.

Case presentation

We report a clinical case of a 36-year-old white man who presented at our emergency department with subacute testicular pain. A urine analysis, Doppler ultrasound, surgical exploration, blood analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed to diagnose his condition, to exclude a testicular torsion, and to raise confidence in its non-malignancy. He was treated conservatively. At follow-up, a few months after the incident, he no longer had complaints. Ultrasonography showed remaining hypo-echogenicity of the left upper pole, indicating a sequel of ischemia.

Conclusions

Segmental testicular infarction is a rare condition which can be easily confused with a testicular torsion or a testicular tumor. This case report can be helpful in recognizing and diagnosing this condition. Making the right diagnosis is important since it can prevent an unnecessary radical treatment.

Segmental Testicular Infarction, an Underdiagnosed Entity: Case Report with Histopathologic Correlation and Review of the Diagnostic Features

A 30-year-old male presented with a 1-day history of left scrotal pain and a tender left testicle and epididymis on physical exam. Scrotal ultrasound showed an avascular, heterogeneous, hypoechoic lesion in the superior left testis suggestive of infarction or neoplasm. The patient was managed conservatively; however, his pain continued and follow-up ultrasound 6 days later showed interval increase in the size of the mass. Left radical orchiectomy was done and pathology result showed segmental infarction of the left testis.

Segmental testicular infarction: A case report

The incidence of segmental testicular infarction is extremely low. The condition usually presents with acute scrotal pain and may be confused clinically and radiologically with a testicular tumor or torsion. To the best of our knowledge, only a few cases have been reported in the English literature. In this study, we present a case of segmental testis infarction in a 23-year-old male with an acute onset of testicular pain. The diagnosis of testicular infarction was considered following sonography examination. Hemorrhagic infarction of the testis was confirmed by surgical exploration and pathological examination. Partial orchiectomy was performed. Although it is uncommon, segmental testicular infarction should be taken into consideration when acute scrotal pain is encountered, since the therapeutic strategy could be conservative.