Tubular ectasia of rete testis
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Radswiki T, Sharma R, Nassar I, et al. Tubular ectasia of rete testis. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 09 Dec 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-15600
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rID:
15600
Article created:
28 Oct 2011,
The Radswiki ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created The Radswiki had no recorded disclosures.
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Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Rohit Sharma had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Rohit Sharma's current disclosures
Revisions:
17 times, by
12 contributors -
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Systems:
Tags:
Synonyms:
- Dilated rete testis
- Cystic ectasia of the rete testis
- Tubular ectasia of the rete testis
- Ectatic rete testis
- Ectatic retia testes
Tubular ectasia of rete testis (rare plural: retia testes 8) represents dilated testicular mediastinal tubules.
On this page:
Epidemiology
This condition is more common in men over the age of 55 years.
It is often bilateral, is frequently associated with spermatoceles and may occur as result of a vasectomy 2.
Clinical presentation
Asymptomatic condition, detected incidentally.
Pathology
This is a benign condition thought to result from the partial or complete obliteration of the efferent ducts 7. These spermatozoa-containing cysts communicate with the tubular system into the epididymis.
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
At sonography, it appears as multiple small cystic or tubular anechoic structures that replace and enlarge the testicular mediastinum. The geographic shape, lack of mass effect, and lack of internal vascularity (Doppler flow) are helpful to distinguish this benign condition from a partially cystic tumor.
MRI
On MR imaging, the cystic dilatation or ectasia of multiple small tubules of the rete testis appears hyperintense on T2-weighted images. After administration of gadolinium contrast, no internal enhancement is seen.
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Treatment and prognosis
It is a benign finding with no known clinical sequelae 3.
Differential diagnosis
-
intratesticular varicocele
- demonstrates flow on color Doppler
- cystadenoma of the rete testis
See also
References
- 1. Kim W, Rosen MA, Langer JE et-al. US MR imaging correlation in pathologic conditions of the scrotum. Radiographics. 27 (5): 1239-53. doi:10.1148/rg.275065172 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Ishigami K, Abu-Yousef MM, El-Zein Y. Tubular ectasia of the epididymis: a sign of postvasectomy status. J Clin Ultrasound. 2005;33 (9): 447-51. doi:10.1002/jcu.20162 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Nair R, Abbaraju J, Rajbabu K, Anjum F, Sriprasad S. Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: a diagnostic dilemma. (2008) Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 90 (7): W1-3. doi:10.1308/147870808X303119 - Pubmed
- 4. Rouvière O, Bouvier R, Pangaud C, Jeune C, Dawahra M, Lyonnet D. Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: a potential pitfall in scrotal imaging. (1999) European radiology. 9 (9): 1862-8. doi:10.1007/s003300050936 - Pubmed
- 5. Tartar VM, Trambert MA, Balsara ZN, Mattrey RF. Tubular ectasia of the testicle: sonographic and MR imaging appearance. (1993) AJR. American journal of roentgenology. 160 (3): 539-42. doi:10.2214/ajr.160.3.8430548 - Pubmed
- 6. Older RA, Watson LR. Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: a benign condition with a sonographic appearance that may be misinterpreted as malignant. (1994) The Journal of urology. 152 (2 Pt 1): 477-8. Pubmed
- 7. Stein R, Stein DrM, Stein ZK, Stein YN, Stein. [Testicular tumors in prepubertal boys-organ preservation possible more often than expected]. (2020) Der Urologe. Ausg. A. doi:10.1007/s00120-020-01120-0 - Pubmed
- 8. Chambers of Editors, Chambers. The Chambers Dictionary. (2014) ISBN: 9781473602250
Incoming Links
Articles:
Cases:
- Heart-shaped intratesticular spermatocele (Rorschach radiology)
- Bilateral tubular ectasia of the rete testis
- Dancing megasperm and epididymal tubular ectasia
- Tubular ectasia of the epididymis with dilatational deferentopathia
- Ectatic intratesticular artery
- Tubular ectasia of the epididymus
- Tubular ectasia of the epididymus
- Bilateral spermatocele with tubular ectasia of the rete testes
- Ipsilateral seminal vesicle and renal agenesis
- Dilated rete testis
- Dilated rete testis
- Tubular ectasia of rete testis
- Scrotal ultrasound - multiple pathology
- Tubular ectasia of rete testis
- Dilated rete testis
- Tubular ectasia of rete testis
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