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

AimTo 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 methodsA 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionThe 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.