What is testicular microlithiasis?

Testicles are the lifeline of men, and you must protect your testicles at ordinary times. Testicles are related to men's future fertility. Men's testicles are relatively fragile and are prone to various testicular diseases. Some testicular diseases have been heard of, while some have not. Testicular microlithiasis is particularly harmful to men's testicular health and requires active treatment. However, most people do not have a special understanding of testicular microlithiasis.

What is testicular microlithiasis?

A clinical syndrome characterized by multiple calcifications in the testicles, which is a syndrome formed by numerous calcification foci with a diameter of <3mm that are diffusely distributed in the seminiferous tubules of the testicles.

Why do testicular microliths occur?

Current research shows that it is related to abnormal testicular development (such as cryptorchidism, testicular dysplasia, Klinefelter syndrome, etc.), obesity, hyperlipidemia, varicocele, etc. Regardless of the cause, it is ultimately the collagen tissue and calcium salts that form deposits of shed seminiferous tubule epithelial cells that lead to the formation of testicular microliths.

What are the dangers of testicular microlithiasis?

Testicular microlithiasis can significantly affect sperm function (including reduced sperm production and sperm concentration) and even lead to testicular atrophy. At the same time, testicular microlithiasis is closely related to testicular tumors. Some people believe that testicular microlithiasis is a benign testicular lesion that is suspected to be a precancerous lesion but progresses relatively slowly.

How are testicular microliths treated?

For patients with epididymitis and infectious hydrocele, anti-infection treatment can be given; those with varicocele and surgical indications can undergo surgical treatment; those with cryptorchidism can undergo testicular descent fixation! If there are no symptoms, the semen quality is normal or there is no desire for fertility, regular color Doppler ultrasound examinations can be performed (every year).

Bilateral testicular microlithiasis refers to the formation of small stones in the testicular tunica vaginalis. Under normal circumstances, there is a certain amount of fluid in the testicular tunica vaginalis, which nourishes and protects the testicles. The production and absorption of fluid in the tunica vaginalis is in a dynamic balance. When the absorption of fluid in the tunica vaginalis is slower than the production, the fluid in the tunica vaginalis gradually increases, and calcium salts are deposited in it to form microliths. This situation is more common in chronic testicular inflammation, testicular trauma, or early stage of testicular hyperplasia. The treatment method should be to perform tunica vaginalis turnover or testicular exploration and resection as soon as possible.