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Leydig Cell Tumors of the Testis
Author(s) -
Maizlin Zeev V.,
Belenky Alexander,
Kunichezky Myriam,
Sandbank Judith,
Strauss Simon
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.2004.23.7.959
Subject(s) - hypervascularity , medicine , leydig cell tumor , echogenicity , leydig cell , color doppler , pathology , blood flow , testicle , radiology , ultrasound , ultrasonography , anatomy , hormone , luteinizing hormone
Objective. To determine the gray scale and color Doppler sonographic features of Leydig cell tumors of the testis in a series of patients. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the sonographic appearance of 10 proven Leydig cell tumors in 9 patients aged 26 to 47 years. Sonographic features that were reviewed included the size and echogenicity of the tumors, presence of cystic areas or calcifications, and distribution pattern of detectable blood flow on color or power Doppler imaging. Results. The tumors ranged from 0.4 to 3.0 cm in diameter, but most were less than 1.0 cm in diameter. In 1 testis, 2 discrete Leydig cell tumors were found. Nine (90%) of the 10 tumors were homogeneously hypoechoic. Only 1 tumor was isoechoic with the testis. None of the tumors contained calcifications. Of 8 tumors with color Doppler imaging, 7 (88%) showed a characteristic pattern of increased peripheral blood flow, which was either circumferential or punctate. Only 1 tumor was found with internal hypervascularity. Conclusions. Peripheral hypervascularity in a hypoechoic testicular tumor that has little or no internal color Doppler flow should suggest the possibility of a Leydig cell tumor, and consideration should be given to testicle‐sparing surgery.