Ultrasonography of tubular ectasia of the rete testis with associated scrotal findings.

Purpose: Tubular ectasia of the rete testis (TERT) is a rare disorder that can be seen on ultrasonography (US) during a routine examination. In this study, we aim to discuss 15 cases of TERT and concomitant scrotal pathologies.

Methods: A total of 405 patients who were admitted to our department between March 2009 and December 2011 for scrotal US with different complaints such as scrotal pain, palpable mass, infertility, varicocele, or hydrocele were evaluated. Presence or absence of TERT and associated scrotal anomalies if TERT was present were considered on gray-scale US and color Doppler US.

Results: Tubular ectasia of the rete testis was detected in 15 patients (3.7 %). It was unilateral in eleven patients (73.3 %) and bilateral in four patients (26.7 %). The mean age of the patients with TERT in this study was 43.7 years (range 24-85 years). Five patients (33.3 %) with TERT presented with infertility, four of them (26.7 %) presented with palpable mass, and six of them (40%) were admitted with scrotal pain. In 14 patients (93.3 %), at least one of the following disorders associated with TERT was seen: epididymal cyst, spermatocele, hydrocele, and varicocele.

Conclusion: Tubular ectasia of the rete testis shows characteristic appearances on gray-scale and Doppler US evaluation, and no other modality is necessary for diagnosis. TERT is usually associated with epididymal pathologies such as epididymal cyst or spermatocele located on the same side. Testicular neoplasms, intratesticular varicocele, and cystic dysplasia of the testis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of TERT.