Increased prevalence of testicular microlithiasis in men with familial testicular cancer and their relatives

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) cluster in families, but responsible genes remain unidentified. The association between testicular microlithiasis (TM) and testicular carcinoma in situ (CIS) suggests that TM may be a TC risk factor. We report testicular ultrasound findings in men with familial TGCT (FTGCT) and their unaffected relatives. A total of 81 men (48 affected and 33 unaffected) from 31 families with ⩾2 TC cases underwent testicular ultrasound. Testicular microlithiasis was defined as either ‘classic' (⩾5 microliths) or ‘limited' (<5 microliths). Statistical analyses used Fisher's exact test and permutation testing. Testicular microlithiasis was more frequent in the contralateral testicles of men with a history of TGCT (affected men) than in unaffected men (48 vs 24%, P=0.04). The association appeared stronger for classic TM (21 vs 9%) than for limited TM (27 vs 15%). Testicular microlithiases were bilateral in six out of seven (87%) unaffected men. Among affected men, TM was not associated with histology, age at diagnosis or cancer treatment. Of the 31 families, 10 accounted for a majority (61%) of the TM cases identified (P=0.11). Testicular microlithiasis was more prevalent among FTGCT family members than described previously in the general population, and was more common among FTGCT cases vs unaffected blood relatives. Testicular microlithiasis appeared to cluster in certain families. These findings suggest both a familial predisposition to TM and an association between TM and FTGCT. If proven, this could be clinically important to men in FTGCT families, and may be useful in identifying specific genes involved in FTGCT

Evaluation of a direct fluorescent antibody test for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical specimens

PubMed ID: 1930969A total of 160 endocervical specimens collected from 72 symptomatic and 82 asymptomatic women attending a gynecology outpatient clinic were investigated for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection by the use of tissue culture and DFA test. The infection rate was 42% for symptomatic and 23% for asymptomatic patient groups. The sensitivity rates of the DFA test in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups were 84% and 75%), while the specificity rates were 89% and 95%, respectively. The DFA test had an overall sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 93%. There was 90% agreement between the two techniques. Therefore, DFA is recommended as an alternative to tissue culture where laboratory facilities are limited and genital chlamydial infections are highly prevalent. 1991 Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavic

Screening For Chlamydia-Trachomatis In a Turkish Population

WOS: A1991GC03600021PubMed ID: 191680

Doppler sonographic findings in testicular microlithiasis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the resistive index (RI) values, which is a parameter of testicular parenchymal perfusion, in testicular microlithiasis (TM) cases and normal cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2179 volunteers, all healthy men (17-42 years of age) from the Annual Army Reserve Officer Training Corps training camp were included in the study. A screening scrotal ultrasound was performed and all men diagnosed with TM underwent a scrotal Doppler ultrasonography scan (US). US examinations were performed for subjects with TM and without TM as a control group and RI was determined. RESULTS: 53 men with TM were identified in the 2179 US. Spectral Doppler examination was applied to 50 randomly selected cases (100 testicles) without TM and 92 testicles with TM, 39 cases (78 testicles) with bilateral and 14 cases with unilateral involvement. However, 48 normal testicles (17 bilateral and 14 unilateral) and 47 testicles with TM (15 bilateral and 17 unilateral, 10 of which were cases with bilateral TM) where flow from the centripetal artery could be obtained and analyzed were included in the statistical analysis for resistive indices. There was no significant difference regarding the RI and spectral examinations between subjects with and without TM. An interesting finding was the twinkling artifact observed in three cases. CONCLUSION: Microliths did not alter the RI values and thus had no influence on testicular perfusion on Doppler US examination