Testiculaire microlithiasis bij jongens [Testicular microlithiasis in boys]

In three boys aged 15, 9, and 10 years respectively scrotal ultrasound revealed testicular microlithiasis (TM). Two boys were free of symptoms and one suffered from testicular pain. TM is characterized by multiple echogenic foci within the seminiferous tubules with no acoustic shadowing. The pathophysiology is largely unknown. In adult men, TM prevalence has been reported to range from 0.2 to 29%. In boys the prevalence rate varies from 0.1 to 11.7%. There are indications that TM might be associated with malignant conditions of the testes. Although in adult men the method of follow-up is controversial, annual follow-up is usually recommended. In pediatric patients virtually no follow-up guidelines exist. Testicular self-examination, for example three monthly, and annual ultrasound in addition to physical examination might be warranted especially in boys with undescended testis who are already at risk for malignant