[Echo morphology of testicular tumors]

The ultrasound and histological findings of 130 testicular tumours were compared; these included 56 seminomas, 49 teratomas, 16 mixed tumours, five Leydig cell tumours, three lymphomas and one metastasis. There was only a slight tendency to low echo homogeneous structure with seminomas and low echo irregular structure with teratomas and mixed tumours. Cystic components, or strongly echogenic structures, were found in 20 to 30% of primary testicular malignant tumours, but these findings were non-specific. Cystic lesions were found at histology to be due to necroses, haemorrhage or specific tumour cysts. Strongly echogenic appearances correlated with calcification, fibrosis or bone or cartilage development. There were no specific sonographic criteria suitable for the identification of specific tumour types.