[Testicular tumors. Echographic findings].

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the sensitivity and specificity of high resolution ultrasound in testicular tumors.

METHODS

The study comprised 18 histologically confirmed testicular tumors. Patient ages ranged from 19 to 79 years (mean 41). The ultrasound and the anatomopathological findings were compared.

RESULTS

12 of 18 were primary testicular tumors: 5 classical seminomas, 1 spermatocytic seminoma, 1 anaplastic seminoma, 3 embryonary carcinoma, 1 mixed teratoma and 1 immature teratoma. Ultrasound detected all tumors, accounting for a sensitivity of 100%. All tumors were hypoechoic. Substantial differences were observed between the classical seminomas and the other tumor types: the echo structure was homogeneous in 60% of the classical seminomas vs 50% for the other tumor types; 80% of the former and none of the other tumor types had well- or partially well-defined tumor margins; and finally, cystic or hyperechoic areas were not observed in the classical seminomas but in 30% of the other tumors.

CONCLUSION

High resolution ultrasound should be performed if testicular tumor is suspected. This technique will confirm or discard this condition and, furthermore, if the ultrasound findings show a solid, hypoechoic lesion, regardless of the degree of definition of the tumor margins, with no cystic or hyperechoic areas, a presumptive diagnosis of classical seminoma can be made.