The Value of Active Ultrasound Surveillance for Patients With Small Testicular Lesions

Ultrasound Q. 2017 Mar;33(1):23-27. doi: 10.1097/RUQ.0000000000000245.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether active ultrasound surveillance may obviate the need for surgical resection in selected patients with small testicular lesions (STLs). A retrospective 11-year review was conducted of adults who were diagnosed with an STL on scrotal ultrasonography and who either had orchiectomy or sonographic follow-up during a period of at least 3 months. A total of 101 subjects were enrolled. Ultrasound findings, clinical features, histopathology/follow-up imaging were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to select independent risk factors for the diagnosis of malignancy. Seventeen (16.8%) subjects underwent immediate surgery, 8 (7.9%) of 101 underwent surgery after ultrasound follow-up, and 76 (75.3%) of 101 were followed with ultrasound only. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 7 months in the 8 patients who ultimately underwent surgery after ultrasound follow-up and from 6 to 84 months in the 76 patients followed up with ultrasound only. All 15 malignant cases underwent immediate surgery without follow-up sonography. The frequency of lesions, either benign at surgery or stable on ultrasound, was 85.1% (86 of 101; 95% confidence interval, 77%-91%). Logistic regression analysis showed that lesion size was the only independent risk factor for malignancy in hypoechoic STLs (P < 0.05). Most of the STLs were stable on serial sonograms and likely benign. Active ultrasound surveillance may be an appropriate management strategy in patients with STLs.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orchiectomy / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Testicular Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / surgery
  • Testis / diagnostic imaging
  • Testis / surgery
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Young Adult