Infantile epididymitis with calcification.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Medical Imaging
• Neonatal Pathology

Background:

• Infantile epididymitis is considered rare, with limited reported cases in medical literature.
• Calcification within chronic epididymitis in infants has not been previously documented.
• Scrotal calcification in infants often raises suspicion for malignancy, necessitating careful differential diagnosis.

Observation:

• A 1-month-old infant presented with symptoms suggestive of scrotal pathology.
• Serial ultrasound examinations were crucial in identifying a calcified lesion adjacent to the normal testis.
• Tumor markers, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin beta (HCG beta), were within normal physiological ranges.

Findings:

• The case presented is the first reported instance of calcifying chronic epididymitis in an infant.
• Ultrasound findings allowed for the differentiation of the calcified lesion from testicular torsion and neoplasm.
• The absence of elevated tumor markers further supported a benign diagnosis.

Implications:

• This case underscores the utility of serial ultrasound in the diagnosis of infantile scrotal conditions.
• Accurate imaging can prevent unnecessary surgical interventions, such as orchiectomy, in infants.
• The findings expand the differential diagnosis for scrotal calcifications in neonates, including rare inflammatory conditions.