Sonographic Appearance of Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumour in a Patient with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- PMID: 29662583
- PMCID: PMC5894002
- DOI: 10.12659/PJR.902013
Sonographic Appearance of Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumour in a Patient with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Abstract
Background: Testicular adrenal rest tumours (TARTs) are benign testicular masses that are found in inadequately treated patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Recognizing this association and identifying characteristic ultrasound features of TARTs is important so as to avoid misdiagnosing them as malignancies, which can lead to unnecessary interventions.
Case report: We describe a case of a 9-year-old boy, with a diagnosis of CAH and precocious puberty, who was referred to our department for an ultrasound evaluation of the abdomen and scrotum. On ultrasound, there were well-defined, heterogeneous, predominantly hypoechoic, round-to-oval masses in both testes. Taking into account the presence of CAH and a typical sonographic appearance of bilateral testicular masses, a diagnosis of testicular adrenal rest tumour was made; biopsy was deferred and hormonal treatment was modified.
Conclusions: Prompt diagnosis of testicular adrenal rest tumours is essential, as it only indicates inadequate hormonal control. Moreover, it can prevent unnecessary biopsies and orchidectomies, and can maintain fertility. TARTs have a typical imaging appearance that every radiologist must be aware of.
Keywords: Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Testicular Neoplasms; Ultrasonography.
Figures




References
-
- Proto G, DiDonna A, Grimaldi F, Mazzolini A. Bilateral testicular adrenal rest tissue in congenital adrenal hyperplasia: US and MR features. J Endocrinol Invest. 2001;24:529–31. - PubMed
-
- Wilkins L, Fleishmann W, Howard JE. Macrogenitosomia precox associated with hyperplasia of the androgenic tissue of the adrenal and death from corticoadrenal insufficiency. Endocrinology. 1940;26:385–95.
-
- Stikkelbroeck NM, Otten BJ, Pasic A, et al. High prevalence of testicular adrenal rest tumors, impaired spermatogenesis, and Leydig cell failure in adolescent and adult males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86:5721–28. - PubMed
-
- Delfino M, Elia J, Imbrogno N, et al. Testicular adrenal rest tumors in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Prevalence and sonographic, hormonal, and seminal characteristics. J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(3):383–88. - PubMed
Publication types
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources