[Clinicopathological study of the testicular microlithiasis]

Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is a relatively rare condition characterized by calcific concref1p4 within the seminiferous tubules. Little has been reported on the incidence or the clinical implication of TM among Japanese. To address the problem, we evaluated pathologic specimens from biopsies and orchiectomies, of testes with various conditions.

Pathologic specimens of the testes of 200 cases, 56 from orchiectomy and 144 from testicular biopsy, were investigated.

The pathological diagnosis of TM was confirmed in seven (3.5%) cases, four of which were associated with germ cell tumors and the other three were obtained from testicular biopsies performed for examination of infertile men. Of the 41 patients with germ cell tumors, four (9.8%) were found to have TM, and another three (2.5%) were identified among 122 patients with infertility. The prevalence of TM is significantly higher in specimen with germ cell tumors than those without germ cell tumors (p < 0.05).

Although TM is rarely encountered, this condition is relatively often accompanied by testicular malignancy. Further investigation would be fundamental to ascertain the relationship between TM and testicular malignancy.