Rete tubular ectasia

Presentation

It is usually found in men older than 55 years and is frequently found on bilateral testes but is often asymmetrical.

Mechanism

The formation of cysts in the rete testis is associated with the obstruction of the efferent ducts, which connect the rete testis with the head of the epididymis. They are often bilateral.

Diagnosis

The condition can be detected with ultrasonography. Cystic lesions us usually found at the mediastinum testis with elongated shaped lesions displacing the mediastinum. It is commonly associated with epididymal abnormalities, such as spermatocele, epididymal cyst, and epididymitis. The condition shares a common location with cystic dysplasia of the testis and intratesticular cysts. Unlike cystic neoplasms, they don't present specific tumor markers. Another distinguishing feature is that tubular ectasia of the testes is confined only to the mediastinum, unlike testicular cancer such as cystic teratoma of the testis which spreads throughout the testis.

Treatment

Typically none is required, but they can be treated surgically if symptomatic.

Additional images

File:Tubular ectasia of the rete testis-0022a.jpg|Tubular ectasia of the rete testis File:Tubular ectasia of the rete testis-0023a.jpg|Tubular ectasia of the rete testis File:Tubular ectasia of the rete testis-0028.jpg|Tubular ectasia of the rete testis

References

References

1. (2001-10-01). "Benign Intratesticular Cystic Lesions: US Features". RadioGraphics.
2. (October 2008). "Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: a diagnostic dilemma.". Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
3. (March 2011). "Imaging of non-neoplastic intratesticular masses.". Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Ankara, Turkey).