Testicular and paratesticular non- neoplastic lesions in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital: A 10-year retrospective review.

Abstract

Objectives: The present study is undertaken to describe the spectrum of histopathological features and age distribution of non-neoplastic testicular and paratesticular lesions in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive study of 70 testicular and paratesticular nonneoplastic lesions was conducted over a period of 10 years; between January-2005 and December- 2014 in the Department of Histopathology, UMTH. Histopathological examination was done after routine processing and staining with Haematoxylin and Eosin. Special stain (Ziehl-Neelsen stain) was done to confirm the presence of acid fast bacilli in cases of tuberculous epididymoorchitis.

Results: There were 70 cases of non-neoplastic testicular and paratesticular lesions of which the majority were inflammatory disorders accounting for 53 cases (75.7%). They included acute orchitis (4.3%), tuberculosis (12.9%), schistosomiasis (8.6%), hydrocoele (24.3%), chronic orchitis. Other categories of the lesions included congenital abnormalities (10.0%) and traumatic disorder (14.3%). Long-standing hydrocoele was the commonest lesion (24.3%) followed by testicular torsion and infarction (14.3%). The youngest patient was 2 years old and the oldest was 80 years of age. The highest incidence occurred in the age range of 30 – 59 years with a total of 25 cases representing 35.7%. The lowest incidence was observed in the elderly (≥60 years) with a total of 21 cases (30%).

Conclusion: This study shows that inflammatory disorders are the predominant causes of the testicular and paratesticular non-neoplastic lesions capable of interfering with fertility and mimicking malignancy. There is also the need to emphasise the necessity of proper evaluation and treatment of acute orchitis and microabscess to avoid unnecessary orchidectomy.