[Tubular ectasia of the rete testis. The echographic aspects]

Tubular ectasia of the seminiferous tubules of the rete testis is an uncommon benign condition which was only recently described. Its US pattern is typical and allows the disease to be distinguished from cystic tumors of the testicle. The condition was evaluated with US in 10 patients; all men were over 50 years old. US was performed with a 7.5-MHz linear probe. The lesion was unilateral in 7 and bilateral in 3 patients. It was always localized in the mediastinum testis and was associated with spermatocele in 5 cases and with testicular cysts in 4. On US scans, the condition presented with several tubular or rounded anechoic structures, mimicking a hypoechoic mass. In 5 men with 4-19 months' follow-up, no change in lesion size and structure was observed. Tubular ectasia was never assessed with biopsy or histology. Tubular ectasia of the rete testis shares several US features with testicular cysts and spermatocele, which are likely to have the same underlying mechanisms. This benign condition can be distinguished from true cysts and testicular tumors on the basis of US findings and its differential diagnosis is important to avoid unnecessary surgery.