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Leydig cell tumors of the testis: gray scale and color Doppler sonographic appearance
Zeev V Maizlin1, Alexander Belenky, Myriam Kunichezky
1Department of Radiology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
Objective:
To determine the gray scale and color Doppler sonographic features of Leydig cell tumors of the testis in a series of patients.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the sonographic appearance of 10 proven Leydig cell tumors in 9 patients aged 26 to 47 years. Sonographic features that were reviewed included the size and echogenicity of the tumors, presence of cystic areas or calcifications, and distribution pattern of detectable blood flow on color or power Doppler imaging.
Results:
The tumors ranged from 0.4 to 3.0 cm in diameter, but most were less than 1.0 cm in diameter. In 1 testis, 2 discrete Leydig cell tumors were found. Nine (90%) of the 10 tumors were homogeneously hypoechoic. Only 1 tumor was isoechoic with the testis. None of the tumors contained calcifications. Of 8 tumors with color Doppler imaging, 7 (88%) showed a characteristic pattern of increased peripheral blood flow, which was either circumferential or punctate. Only 1 tumor was found with internal hypervascularity.
Conclusions:
Peripheral hypervascularity in a hypoechoic testicular tumor that has little or no internal color Doppler flow should suggest the possibility of a Leydig cell tumor, and consideration should be given to testicle-sparing surgery.
