Testicular neoplasms: 29 tumors studied by high-resolution US.

Abstract

High-resolution (10-MHz) ultrasonography produces extremely detailed anatomic images of the testis. The sonographic features most helpful in detecting tumors are mass, bright echogenic foci, and diffuse parenchymal texture change. Of 29 patients with testicular neoplasms, 21 (72%) had one or more masses, 19 (66%) had one or more echogenic foci, and nine (31%) had a diffuse parenchymal texture change. Bright echogenic foci were present in six (86%) of seven testes that had a regressed germ-cell tumor. In an attempt to define the histologic features of bright echogenic foci, we performed needle localization under real-time guidance on four operative specimens. We observed immature bone and cartilage, calcification, tubular atrophy and fibrosis, and focal noncalcific scarring. Discovery of occult testicular neoplasms was common (9/29); four patients were thought to have had "extragonadal" germ-cell tumors before abnormalities were found on the sonograms.