Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4144249 | Anales de Pediatría | 2006 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
Macroorchidism is a rare condition in children and is usually associated with fragile X syndrome. Other possible etiologies of macroorchidism are long-standing primary hypothyroidism, adrenal remnants in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-secreting pituitary macroadenomas, local tumors, lymphomas, and aromatase deficiency. Bilateral macroorchidism can be a normal variant in adult men. We report the case of an 11.5-year-old boy who was referred to our hospital for evaluation of marked bilateral testicular enlargement in the previous few months. Physical examination revealed a testicular volume larger than 30 ml. Complementary investigations allowed us to rule out all hitherto reported etiologies of bilateral macroorchidism and therefore a diagnosis of idiopathic macroorchidism was established. The increased number of Sertoli cells found on biopsy, without elevated plasma FSH levels, prompted us to speculate about a hypothetical FSH receptor hyperfunction as a possible cause of the exaggerated testicular enlargement in this patient.
Keywords
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Authors
M. Álvarez-Acevedo GarcÃa, M.aA. Molina RodrÃguez, I. González Casado, M. Nistal MartÃn de Serrano, R. Gracia Bouthelier,