Testicular microlithiasis: Systematic review and Clinical guidelines

Abstract

Introduction: There are no clear recommendations on how patients with testicular microlithiasis should be followed up. The aim of our systematic review is to give clinical guidelines based on the evidence in the literature.

Methods: A web search was conducted during February 2018 based on Pubmed data, Embase and Cochrane database. The eligibility of articles was defined using the PICOS method, in concordance with the PRISMA recommendations.

Results: Fifty three articles were selected for our final synthesis. Our review highlighted an association between testicular microlithiasis and the already known risk factors of testicular germ cell tumor. The presence of testicular microlithiasis in patients with such risk factors increases more the risk of cancer. In the absence of risk factors, the risk to develop testicular cancer is similar to the risk in general population.

Conclusion: In patients at risk to develop testicular cancer, observation versus testicular biopsy is debatable. We recommend an individualized approach based on the age of the patient, the presence of concurrent features of testicular dysgenesis syndrome, the fertility of the couple, the desire of paternity and the ultrasound pattern (bilateral and clustered vs. unilateral and limited).

Keywords: Cancer testiculaire; Germ cell tumor; Infertility; Infertilité; Microlithiases testiculaires; Testicular cancer; Testicular microlithiasis; Testicular tumor; Tumeur germinale; Ultrasound; Échographie testiculaire.