Scrotal calcification in a symptomatic paediatric population: Prevalence, location, and appearance in a cohort of 516 patients.

Aim: To describe the prevalence of all forms of scrotal calcification within a symptomatic paediatric population and to compare this with previous reported data in paediatric and adult populations.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of testicular ultrasound examinations performed in a single institution over a 55 month period. All examinations were performed by experienced operators using high-frequency linear array transducers. Types of scrotal calcification and position were recorded with all available images analysed by experienced radiologists.
Results: A total 516 male patients under the age of 19 years (mean age 10.5 years) were included. The prevalence of testicular microlithiasis (TM) was 8.7% and the prevalence of non-TM macrocalcification was 0.4%. 2.3% of the patients had scrotal pearls and 0.2% had epididymal calcification recorded. No other form of calcification was identified. A single patient had a co-existing testicular tumour and TM at examination.
Conclusion: The prevalence of TM in the symptomatic paediatric population is greater than that reported in the symptomatic adult population, whereas the prevalence of intra-testicular macrocalcification is lower. It is speculated that TM and macrocalcification represent different pathways for the possible risk of testicular tumour development.
(Copyright © 2012 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)