Assessment of quantitative microflow Vascular Index in testicular cancer.

PURPOSE: Ultrasound (US) is the primary imaging modality when a testicular tumor is suspected. Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) is a novel, highly sensitive Doppler technique that allows quantification of flow signals by determination of the Vascular Index (VI). The aim of the present study is to investigate the diagnostic significance of the SMI-derived VI in normal testicular tissue and testicular cancer. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent testicular US in our department from 2018 to 2022. Inclusion criteria were: i) sufficient image quality of the stored images, ii) US with standardized SMI-default setting (colour gain of 44 ± 5), iii) patient age ≥ 18 years, and iv) normal testicular findings or testicular tumor with histopathological workup. US examinations were performed as part of clinical routine using a high-end ultrasound system (Aplio i800/i900, Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Tochigi, Japan). Statistical analysis included Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients (31 each with normal findings and testicular tumors) were included. The VI differed statistically significantly (p < 0.001) between normal testis (median 2.5 %) and testicular tumors (median 17.4 %). Like vascular patterns (p < 0.001), the VI (p = 0.030) was shown to distinguish seminomas (median 14.8 %), non-seminomas (median 17.6 %) and lymphomas (median 34.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study has shown the VI to be a quantitative tool that can add information for differentiating testicular tumor entities. While further confirmation in larger study populations is desirable, our results suggest that the VI may be a useful quantitative parameter.

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges with germ cell tumours associated with transverse testicular ectopia and persistent Müllerian duct syndrome.

Transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) is an infrequent ectopic testis where both testes descend via the same inguinal canal, located in the same hemiscrotum, and augments the risk of developing testicular tumours. Type II TTE is accompanied by persistent Müllerian duct syndrome, where the Müllerian structures persist for various reasons. Here, we present a case of an adult in his early 30s, who presented with a right testicular swelling and was diagnosed as type II TTE and testicular mixed germ cell tumour after surgery. We could find only 13 similar cases of TTE and testicular tumours in the literature. Our case highlights the importance of clinical acumen with detailed history, meticulous clinical examination, radiological investigations and a detailed pathological examination while dealing with such sporadic presentations.

A Machine Learning Model to Predict the Histology of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection Specimens.

BACKGROUND/AIM: While post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) benefits patients with teratoma or viable germ cell tumors (GCT), it becomes overtreatment if necrosis is detected in PC-RPLND specimens. Serum microRNA-371a-3p correctly predicts residual viable GCT with 100% sensitivity; however, prediction of residual teratoma in PC-RPLND specimens using current modalities remains difficult. Therefore, we developed a machine learning model using CT imaging and clinical variables to predict the presence of residual teratoma in PC-RPLND specimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 58 patients who underwent PC-RPLND between 2005 and 2019 at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. On CT imaging, 155 lymph nodes were identified as regions of interest (ROIs). The ResNet50 algorithm and/or Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification were applied and a nested, 3-fold cross-validation protocol was used to determine classifier accuracy. RESULTS: PC-RPLND specimen analysis revealed 35 patients with necrosis and 23 patients with residual teratoma, while histology of 155 total ROIs showed necrosis in 84 ROIs and teratoma in 71 ROIs. The ResNet50 algorithm, using CT imaging, achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 80.0%, corresponding to a sensitivity of 67.3%, a specificity of 90.5%, and an AUC of 0.84, whereas SVM classification using clinical variables achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 74.8%, corresponding to a sensitivity of 59.0%, a specificity of 88.1%, and an AUC of 0.84. CONCLUSION: Our machine learning models reliably distinguish between necrosis and residual teratoma in clinical PC-RPLND specimens.

[Testicular involvement in pediatric lymphoid tumors: a review of the literature and a series of clinical observation].

Lymphoid tumors with testicular involvement in childhood are rare and heterogeneous. The disease may manifest with uni- or bilateral scrotal enlargement. Comprehensive examination includes evaluation of all lymph nodes involvement, as well as ultrasound examination, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. A diagnosis is made on basis of morphological and immunohistochemical verification. Determination of lymphoid tumor variant and stage, is recommended to perform chemotherapy according to prognostic risk group, and, in some cases, transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells is required as consolidation therapy. We present three rare clinical cases of follicular lymphoma with testicular involvement, T-lymphoblasti progenitor cell lymphoma, and B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) relapse. Different schemes of chemotherapy, combined with orchiectomy (in 2 of 3 cases) resulted in prolonged complete remission. In the first case, due to treatment-refractory B-lineage ALL, the disease was incurable. Our data on clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical and therapeutic features of lymphoid tumors with testicular involvement make it necessary to form multidisciplinary teams, including pediatric urologists, hematologic oncologists and surgeons for timely diagnosis and successful treatment.

Ultrasound contrast-enhanced diagnosis of testicular Leydig cell tumor: A case report and literature review.

Leydig cell tumor (LCT) is a rare testicular tumor. We report a case of an elderly male patient who discovered a left testicular mass during a regular health examination four years ago. The patient did not experience any significant discomfort and opted for regular follow-up visits. During the most recent visit, we performed routine ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations. By observing the lesion's location, echogenicity, margins, vascular distribution, as well as the rapid enhancement and slow washout characteristics on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, we arrived at a diagnosis of LCT. Subsequently, the patient underwent left inguinal orchiectomy. Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of LCT. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive review of LCT-related literature from PubMed and SCOPUS, summarizing the clinical features, follow-up duration, prognosis, and ultrasound characteristics associated with LCT.

Differentiation of testicular seminomas from nonseminomas based on multiphase CT radiomics combined with machine learning: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Differentiating seminomas from nonseminomas is crucial for formulating optimal treatment strategies for testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). Therefore, our study aimed to develop and validate a clinical-radiomics model for this purpose. METHODS: In this study, 221 patients with TGCTs confirmed by pathology from four hospitals were enrolled and classified into training (n = 126), internal validation (n = 55) and external test (n = 40) cohorts. Radiomics features were extracted from the CT images. After feature selection, we constructed a clinical model, radiomics models and clinical-radiomics model with different machine learning algorithms. The top-performing model was chosen utilizing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was also conducted to assess its practical utility. RESULTS: Compared with those of the clinical and radiomics models, the clinical-radiomics model demonstrated the highest discriminatory ability, with AUCs of 0.918 (95 % CI: 0.870 - 0.966), 0.909 (95 % CI: 0.829 - 0.988) and 0.839 (95 % CI: 0.709 - 0.968) in the training, validation and test cohorts, respectively. Moreover, DCA confirmed that the combined model had a greater net benefit in predicting seminomas and nonseminomas. CONCLUSION: The clinical-radiomics model serves as a potential tool for noninvasive differentiation between testicular seminomas and nonseminomas, offering valuable guidance for clinical treatment.

Split-bolus single-phase versus single-bolus split-phase CT acquisition protocols for staging in patients with testicular cancer: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) imaging has become indispensable in the management of medical oncology patients. Risks associated with high cumulative effective dose (CED) are relevant in testicular cancer patients. Split-bolus protocols, whereby the contrast medium injection is divided into two, followed by combining the required phase images in a single scan acquisition has been shown to provide images of comparable image quality and less radiation dose compared to single-bolus split-phase CT for various indications. We retrospectively evaluated the performance of split-bolus and single-bolus protocols in patients having follow-up CT imaging for testicular cancer surveillance. METHODS: 45 patients with testicular cancer undergoing surveillance CT imaging of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis who underwent split-bolus and single-bolus protocols were included. Quantitative image quality analysis was conducted by placing region of interests in pre-defined anatomical sub-structures within the abdominal cavity. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and radiation dose in the form of dose length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) were recorded. RESULTS: The DLP and ED for the single-bolus, split-phase acquisition was 506 ± 89 mGy cm and 7.59 ± 1.3 mSv, respectively. For the split-bolus, single-phase acquisition, 397 ± 94 mGy∗cm and 5.95 ± 1.4 mSv, respectively (p < 0.000). This represented a 21.5 % reduction in radiation dose exposure. The SNR for liver, muscle and fat for the single-bolus were 7.4, 4.7 and 8, respectively, compared to 5.5, 3.8 and 7.4 in the split-bolus protocol (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In a testicular cancer patient cohort undergoing surveillance CT imaging, utilization of a split-bolus single-phase acquisition CT protocol enabled a significant reduction in radiation dose whilst maintaining subjective diagnostic acceptability. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Use of split-bolus, single-phase acquisition has the potential to reduce CED in surveillance of testicular cancer patients.

68 Ga-PSMA Uptake in the Testis : Two Different Patients With Two Different Diagnosis.

ABSTRACT: Although abnormal 68 Ga-PSMA uptake in the prostate and its metastases can be seen in a variety of diseases, it is rare to see in the testis. In these 2 cases, 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT revealed unilateral 68 Ga-PSMA uptake in the testis of 2 patients. One of these patients was diagnosed with testis metastases from prostate cancer after an orchiectomy. The other patient was diagnosed with an orchitis. 68 Ga-PSMA uptake should be considered as an infection, as well as a malignancy in the initial differential diagnosis.

Apparent diffusion coefficient histogram in the differentiation of benign and malignant testicular tumors.

Purpose: This retrospective study assessed the value of histogram parameters of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map (HA) in differentiating between benign and malignant testicular tumors. We compared the diagnostic performance of two different volume-of-interest (VOI) placement methods: VOI 1, the entire tumor; VOI 2, the tumor excluding its cystic, calcified, hemorrhagic, and necrotic portions. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 45 patients with testicular tumors examined with scrotal contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. These patients underwent surgery with the pathological result of seven benign and 39 malignant tumors. We calculated the HA parameters, including mean, median, maximum, minimum, kurtosis, skewness, entropy, standard deviation (SD), mean of positive pixels, and uniformity of positive pixels by the two different VOI segmentation methods. We compared these parameters using the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) to determine their optimal cut-off, sensitivity (Se), and specificity (Sp). Result: This study included 45 patients with 46 testicular lesions (seven benign and 39 malignant tumors), one of which had bilateral testicular seminoma. With the VOI 1 method, benign lesions had significantly lower maximum ADC (p = 0.002), ADC skewness (p = 0.017), and ADC variance (p = 0.000) than malignant lesions. In contrast, their minimum ADC was significantly higher ADC (p = 0.000). With the VOI 2 method, the benign lesions had significantly higher ADC SD (p = 0.048) and maximum ADC (p = 0.015) than malignant lesions. In contrast, their minimum ADC was significantly lower (p = 0.000). With the VOI 1 method, maximum ADC, ADC variance, and ADC skewness performed well in differentiating benign and malignant testicular lesions with cut-offs (Se, Sp, AUC) of 1846.000 (74.4%, 100%, 0.883), 39198.387 (79.5%, 85.7%, 0.868), and 0.893 (48.7%, 100%, 0.758). Conclusion: The HA parameters showed value in differentiating benign and malignant testicular neoplasms. The entire tumor VOI placement method was preferable to the VOI placement method excluding cystic, calcified, hemorrhagic, and necrotic portions in measuring HA parameters. Using this VOI segmentation, maximum ADC performed best in discriminating benign and malignant testicular lesions, followed by ADC variance and skewness.

Initial surveillance in men with marker negative clinical stage IIA non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether extended surveillance with repeated computed tomography (CT) scans for patients with clinical stage IIA (CS IIA; <2 cm abdominal node involvement) and negative markers (Mk-) non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs) can identify those with true CS I. To assess the rate of benign lymph nodes, teratoma, and viable cancer in retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) histopathology for patients with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational prospective population-based study of patients diagnosed 2008-2019 with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT in the Swedish and Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group (SWENOTECA) registry. Patients were managed with surveillance, with CT scans, and tumour markers every sixth week for a maximum of 18 weeks. Patients with radiological regression were treated as CS I, if progression with chemotherapy, and remaining CS IIA Mk- disease with RPLND. The end-point was the number and percentage of patients down-staged to CS I on surveillance and rate of RPLND histopathology presented as benign, teratoma, or viable cancer. RESULTS: Overall, 126 patients with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT were included but 41 received therapy upfront. After surveillance for a median (range) of 6 (6-18) weeks, 23/85 (27%) patients were in true CS I and four (5%) progressed. Of the remaining 58 patients with lasting CS IIA Mk- NSGCT, 16 received chemotherapy and 42 underwent RPLND. The RPLND histopathology revealed benign lymph nodes in 11 (26%), teratoma in two (6%), and viable cancer in 29 (70%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance with repeated CT scans can identify patients in true CS I, thus avoiding overtreatment. The RPLND histopathology in patients with CS IIA Mk- NSGCT had a high rate of cancer and a low rate of teratoma.

Testicular Radiomics To Predict Pathology At Time of Postchemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumor.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common malignancy in young adult males. Patients with metastatic disease receive standard of care chemotherapy followed by retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for residual masses >1cm. However, there is a need for better preoperative tools to discern which patients will have persistent disease after chemotherapy given low rates of metastatic germ cell tumor after chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to use radiomics to predict which patients would have viable germ cell tumor or teratoma after chemotherapy at time of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumor undergoing postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) between 2008 and 2019 were queried from our institutional database. Patients were included if prechemotherapy computed tomography (CT) scan and postchemotherapy imaging were available. Semiqualitative and quantitative features of residual masses and nodal regions of interest and radiomic feature extractions were performed by 2 board certified radiologists. Radiomic feature analysis was used to extract first order, shape, and second order statistics from each region of interest. Post-RPLND pathology was compared to the radiomic analysis using multiple t-tests. RESULTS: 45 patients underwent PC-RPLND at our institution, with the majority (28 patients) having stage III disease. 24 (53%) patients had teratoma on RPLND pathology, while 2 (4%) had viable germ cell tumor. After chemotherapy, 78%, 53%, and 33% of patients had cystic regions, fat stranding, and local infiltration present on imaging. After radiomic analysis, first order statistics mean, median, 90th percentile, and root mean squares were significant. Strong correlations were observed between these 4 features;a lower signal was associated with positive pathology at RPND. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular radiomics is an emerging tool that may help predict persistent disease after chemotherapy.

Clinical and ultrasonographic findings associated with testicular infiltration in pediatric patients with leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Testicular infiltration is infrequent in pediatric patients with leukemia and can be confused with other testicular conditions. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presence of clinical and radiological features suggestive of testicular disease and its histological association with leukemia infiltration. METHOD: Retrospective and analytical observational study that included patients with diagnosis of leukemia who underwent biopsy for suspected testicular infiltration. The relationship with the variables analyzed were diagnosis, reason for taking the biopsy, ultrasound findings, stage of treatment, induration, increased volume and pain, with testicular infiltration. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were included; 11 of them with microlithiasis, of which one 1 reported infiltration (odds ratio: 0.075; p = 0.026), no association was found between ultrasound findings and the presence of infiltration. Clinical findings were significantly associated with positive biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: No risk association was found with the ultrasound findings such as microlithiasis and hypoechoic imaging. The clinically evident testicular disease (testicular enlargement and testicular induration) has a significant statistic association with the presence of leukemia infiltration.

ANTECEDENTES: La infiltración testicular en pacientes pediátricos con leucemia es infrecuente y puede ser confundida con otros padecimientos testiculares. OBJETIVO: Analizar la presencia de características clínicas y radiológicas sugestivas de enfermedad testicular y su asociación histológica con infiltración por leucemia. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional retrospectivo y analítico que incluyó a los pacientes con diagnóstico de leucemia sometidos a biopsia por sospecha de infiltración testicular. Se analizó la relación con las variables diagnóstico de base, motivo de toma de biopsia, hallazgos ultrasonográficos, etapa del tratamiento, induración, aumento de volumen y dolor, con infiltración a testículo. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 18 pacientes; de ellos, 11 con microlitiasis, de los cuales solo uno reportado con infiltración (odds ratio: 0.075; p = 0.026). No se encontró una asociación entre los hallazgos ultrasonográficos y la presencia de infiltración. Los hallazgos clínicos se asociaron significativamente con biopsias positivas. CONCLUSIONES: No se encontró una asociación de riesgo con los hallazgos por ultrasonido, como microlitiasis e imágenes hipoecogénicas. La enfermedad testicular clínicamente evidente (incremento de volumen e induración testicular) tiene una asociación estadísticamente significativa con la presencia de infiltración por leucemia.

[A Case of Testicular Cancer with Solitary Iliac Bone Metastasis].

A 23-year-old male was aware of pain around his left hip joint and visited a nearby orthopedic clinic. Swelling of the right testis was pointed out, and a testicular tumor was suspected. He was referred to the urology department of a local hospital. Blood analysis showed an increase of α-fetoprotein (AFP) (3,620 ng/ml). Computed tomographic (CT) -scan revealed a left iliac bone metastasis and morbid fracture. Right radical inguinal orchiectomy was performed. The pathological examination revealed mixed germ cell tumor (embryonic carcinoma and immature teratoma: 70%, seminoma: 30%). The diagnosis was non-seminomatous germ cell tumor, stage IIIc, and poor risk on the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification. After one cycle of a bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatinum (BEP) regimen, he was referred to our hospital. After a total of 4 cycles of BEP, AFP was normalized. Denosumab was also administered monthly. The CT-scan showed a reduction of bone metastasis and recovery of ossification. Bone biopsy did not show viable tumor cells. Because extirpation of the remaining mass would require resection of the left part of the pelvic bone with significant functional loss of the left limb, we performed close follow-up after an additional 2 courses of the etoposide and cisplatin regimen. The patient is currently alive without recurrence at 45 months after the last systemic chemotherapy.

Indicaciones e histología de 489 orquiectomías analizadas según la edad del paciente / Indications and histology of 489 orchiectomies analyzed by patient age

Objetivo Evaluar indicaciones e histología de nuestra serie de orquiectomías, analizando los resultados dependiendo de la edad del paciente. Métodos Estudio de las orquiectomías realizadas en nuestro centro entre 2005 y 2020 a pacientes mayores de 18 años. Evaluamos: datos demográficos, indicaciones, histología y efectividad del diagnóstico ecográfico según 3 grupos de edad. Resultados Se realizaron 489 orquiectomías, 364 (74%) en los pacientes entre 18-50 años (grupo A), 59 (12%) entre los pacientes de 51-70 años (grupo B) y 66 (13,4%) en mayores de 70 años (grupo C). En el grupo A, 284 (78%) orquiectomías fueron indicadas por sospecha tumoral, 261/284 (91,9%) fueron neoplasias malignas, 253 (89%) germinales. La ecografía testicular tuvo un valor predictivo positivo (VPP) para tumor testicular maligno del 90%. En el grupo B, 34 (57%) orquiectomías fueron indicadas por sospecha tumoral y 25/34 (73,5%) presentaron neoplasias malignas. La ecografía tuvo un VPP para malignidad del 68%. En el grupo C, la orquiepididimitis fue la causa más frecuente de orquiectomía con 30 casos (45,5%). Entre las 20 orquiectomías por sospecha de tumor (30,3%), se encontró malignidad en 6. La ecografía tuvo un VPP para malignidad del 31%. Conclusión En menores de 70 años la indicación principal de orquiectomía fue la sospecha tumoral y en mayores, la orquiepididimitis. Los tumores germinales fueron la histología más frecuente en los menores de 70 años; en los mayores la malignidad fue infrecuente. Con la edad, disminuyó el VPP de la ecografía testicular para neoplasia maligna. En los mayores de 50 años se debería mejorar el proceso diagnóstico antes de indicar orquiectomía por sospecha tumoral (AU)

Objective To evaluate the indications and histology of our series of orchiectomies, analysing the results by patient's age. Methods We included the orchiectomies realized in our hospital between 2005 and 2020 in patients older than 18 years. We estimated demographic data, indications, histology and effectiveness of testicular ultrasound by three groups of age. Results We included 489 orchiectomies, which 364 (74%) belonged to group A (patients between 18-50 years), 59 (12%) to group B (50-70 years) and 66 (14%) to group C (older than 70 years). In group A, 284 (78%) orchiectomies were indicated due to malignancy suspect. In 91.9% cases (261) malign neoplasm was confirmed at final histology and 253 (89%) were germinal cells. Testicular ultrasound had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 90% in this group. In group B, 34 (57%) orchiectomies were indicated because of malignancy suspect. At final histologic analysis, 25/34 (73.5%) confirmed malign neoplasm. Ultrasound had a PPV of 68%. In group C, orchiepididymitis was the main cause of testicular removal with 30 cases (45,5%). From the 20 cases (30.3%) with suspicion of malignancy, only 6 had confirmed malign histology. Testicular ultrasound PPV for malignancy was 31%. Conclusion In patients younger than 70 years the main orchiectomy's indication was suspect of malignancy and in older than 70, testicular inflammation. The germinal neoplasm was the predominant histology in younger than 70 years. In older than that, malignancy was infrequent. The positive predictive value of testicular ultrasound for malignancy decreased with patient's age. In patients older than 50 years proper image diagnosis to assess malignancy should be considered before orchiectomy is done (AU)