Ultrasound imaging and pathologic features of idiopathic scrotal calcinosis in a young adult Nigerian and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a rare and benign disease of the scrotal skin that presents as solitary or multiple painless  calcified nodules or papules in the absence of systemic disorders of calcium or phosphorus metabolism. Although some theories have  been proposed as to the cause of this rare disease, the exact cause remains unknown. In a resource-poor medical setting like Nigeria, a  confident diagnosis of this condition can be made with ultrasonography.

Objective: The objective of this report is to emphasize the role of ultrasound in the imaging diagnosis of idiopathic scrotal calcinosis.  

Case Presentation: This is a case report of a 38-year-old man who presented with recently discharging but longstanding multiple  painless scrotal nodules of 22-years duration.

Conclusion: This case illustrates the prompt and accurate diagnosis of idiopathic scrotal  calcinosis using an ultrasound, a readily available imaging modality in a low-resource setting. Although histology remains the gold- standard for diagnosing idiopathic scrotal calcinosis following surgical excision, this benign disorder has unique sonographic  characteristics that could aid the radiologist in making a confident diagnosis.