[Cystic ectasia of the rete testis]

The cystic ectasia of the rete testis is a benign entity with a typical ultrasound appearance as a collection of small hypoechoic structures in the confluence of the mediastinum testis. The clinical importance of these entity remains on doing an adequate differential diagnosis with testicular neoplasias with a cystic component.

We retrospectively reviewed the database of the Ultrasound Unit in the Department of Urology looking for patients with a diagnosis of cystic ectasia of the rete testis over a six-year period.

Three cases of cystic ectasia of the rete testis were diagnosed over the six-year period, in all the indication for ultrasound was testicular pain. Mean patient age was 62 years. No patient developed testicular tumor on follow-up.

The knowledge of the ultrasound characteristics found in the cystic ectasia of the rete testis helps to make a proper diagnosis of this benign entity without the need of indication of testicular biopsy.