Tuberculous orchitis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology.

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of testicular lesions.

STUDY DESIGN

Seven adult males (55-68 years) presented to the clinic with unilateral enlargement of the testis for the previous few months. Clinically, a malignant tumor was suspected. Fine needle aspiration was performed for rapid diagnosis.

RESULTS

The smears revealed many groups of epithelioid histiocytes, giant cells, a few plasma cells and occasional spindle-shaped fibroblasts. Acid-fast stain revealed a few acid-fast bacilli. The cases were diagnosed as tuberculosis and treated with orchiectomy and antituberculous drugs. The patients did well. Histologic sections confirmed the cytologic diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

FNAC is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous orchitis.