Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is an uncommon condition, usually brought to attention when some other condition is being investigated. There have been reports suggesting a link between testicular microlithiasis and testicular dysfunction and tumors.
OBJECTIVE:
To study the association between testicular microlithiasis and male infertility.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
From January 2010 to January 2011, 140 patients with different scrotal lesions presented to urologic consultation department at Al-Ramadi teaching hospital were included in this prospective study, all patients were examined by gray scale and doppler ultrasonograghy, their age ranges from 15 to 55 years. All cases of microlithiasis were recorded and complete information obtained from each patient. Seminal fluid analysis (SFA) was done for each patient with microlithiasis.
RESULTS:
The age of patients ranges from 15 to 55 years (mean 34.6). Of 140 patients, 6 patients had microlithiasis (4.28%). Of 6 patients with microlithiasis, 5 patients were married and infertile and one of them had varicocele and one patient had testicular atrophy. One patient was unmarried but has varicocele and abnormal seminal fluid analysis.
CONCLUSION:
There is strong association between testicular microlithiasis and infertility. Hypospermatogenesis in patients with TM may relate to both the degree of testicular dysgenesis and the presence or absence of concomitant scrotal pathology (eg, scrotal varicocele and testicular atrophy