[Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: ultrasonography findings in 19 patients]

The sonographic findings and associated etiological conditions in 19 patients with tubular ectasia of the rete testis are described.

19 patients with tubular ectasia of the rete testis diagnosed by ultrasound over a two-year period are presented. Twenty-seven testes showed ectasia. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 59 years. US evaluation was performed with the 7-8 MHz multifrequency linear probe (Acuson 128, Mountain View, CA, USA). The patients were evaluated in the supine position and the scrotal content was examined in the sagittal and transverse planes. A color and pulsed Doppler study were performed in all the cases.

8 patients showed bilateral involvement, 7 had left and 4 right tubular ectasia. Other frequently associated findings were spermatocele (8 cases), cord cyst (6 cases) and varicocele (5 cases). Four patients had undergone scrotal surgery and one had a previous history of epididymitis.

Tubular ectasia of the rete testis is an uncommon, benign condition that is usually associated with epididymal obstruction following trauma or infection in most of the cases. Diagnosis of tubular ectasia by US, in a correct clinical context, obviates the need to perform a biopsy and orchidectomy for its diagnosis in a vast majority of the cases.