Bigot P, Durand X
Service d'Urologie, CHU d'Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49933 Angers Cedex, France.
Prog Urol. 2011 Mar;21 Suppl 2:S46-9. doi: 10.1016/S1166-7087(11)70010-0.
Testicular microlithiases are calcite concretions in the convoluted seminiferous tubules lumen. Their ultrasound aspect is a hyper-echogenous area without any shadow in the testicular parenchyma. Their size is smaller than 2mm and there are more than 5. The surface of the gland is respected. Their incidence is about 5% which more important than the incidence of TGT. The association between testicular microlithiasis and TGT has been initially established by retrospective studies but has never been confirmed by recent prospective studies. Their rate is higher for patients with TGT risk factors (cryptorchidism, intratubular germ cell neoplasia and family history). There are not any official guidelines about the management of testicular microlithiasis. An individual screening depending on the clinical situation can be performed: it could be a simple self examination, ultrasound, or testicular biopsies.