[CT diagnosis and pathological findings of testicular lesion]

To investigate the value of CT scan in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions.

In patients with testicular space-occupying lesions, 11 underwent examinations for such tumor markers as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Plain CT scans were performed with a section thickness and interval of 2 mm followed by enhanced scans after intravenous bolus injection of 70 ml 60% ultravist. Spiral CT multiplanar reconstruction images were also obtained.

Of the 13 patients, histopathologically confirmed seminoma was found in 3, endodermal sinus tumor in 1, teratoma in 2, mixed germinoma in 2, leucoma in 1 case, abscess in 2, and tuberculosis in 2. One seminoma patient had slightly elevated AFP level while 5 of the 6 noneminoma patients (83%) had elevated AFP level. CT scans displayed characteristic features for diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions. Spiral CT with multiplanar reconstruction allowed full view of the lesions and demonstrated their relationship with the surrounding structures.

CT scan in combination with the clinical analysis and tumor marker examinations can be of important value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular space-occupying lesions. The application of spiral CT multiplanar reconstruction also helps in the diagnosis.