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Nodular proliferation of calcifying connective tissue in the rete testis: a study of three cases
1Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.
Insights
This study describes a novel bilateral rete testis lesion found in three men with prior heart conditions. The lesion involves calcifying connective tissue nodules within the rete testis, without inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Urology
- Pathology
- Histology
Background:
- The rete testis is a network of tubules within the testicle crucial for sperm transport.
- Previous literature lacks descriptions of bilateral rete testis lesions.
Observation:
- Three adult men with a history of myocardial infarct or hemorrhage presented with a bilateral rete testis lesion.
- Histologic examination revealed nodular, polypoid formations within the rete testis channels.
Findings:
- These formations featured a connective tissue axis with fibroblasts, fibrin-like material, and calcifications.
- No inflammatory infiltrates were observed in the rete testis or testicular parenchyma.
- Testicular histology ranged from complete spermatogenesis to reduced germ cells with thickened tunica propria.
Implications:
- A new lesion, termed "nodular proliferation of calcifying connective tissue in the rete testis," is proposed.
- This finding may be associated with specific cardiovascular histories.
- Further research is needed to understand the etiology and clinical significance of this lesion.
Abstract:
We report the first description of a bilateral rete testis lesion. The lesion was found in three adult men with histories of myocardium infarct or hemorrhage. The histologic study of the rete testis in these men revealed nodular sessile or pediculate formations which protruded into the rete testis channels. These polypoid formations consisted of an axis of connective tissue covered by a flattened epithelium. The axis contained a variable number of fibroblasts, areas with fibrin-like material, and small to large calcium deposits. Inflammatory infiltrates were neither observed in the rete testis nor in the testicular parenchyma. The testicular pattern varied from seminiferous tubules with complete spermatogenesis (two cases) to tubules with Sertoli cells and a few spermatogonia, surrounded by a thickened tunica propia. The term "nodular proliferation of calcifying connective tissue in the rete testis" is proposed to designate this lesion.