A 29-year-old man with bilateral polyorchidism and testicular tuberculosis managed at a tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Polyorchidism (also known as polyorchism) is a rare anomaly characterized by the presence of at least 1 supernumerary testis and is typically an incidental finding. Bilateral polyorchidism is particularly rare, with only 10 reported cases in the literature. Polyorchidism may be associated with a variety of complications, including malignancy.

A 29-year-old man with a history of bone tuberculosis presented to our centre with a painless scrotal mass. The diagnosis of bilateral polyorchidism with concurrent testicular tuberculosis was reached after comprehensive physical examination, imaging, biopsy, and exploratory surgery. The patient’s testes were discovered to be in pairs, fused within both the right and left hemiscrotums. The management strategy consisted of tuberculosis medication and regular follow-up.

Supernumerary testes may be found within or outside the scrotum. Ultrasonography is the preferred diagnostic modality. In the absence of complications or associated conditions, no further intervention is typically required. This case report expands our understanding of polyorchidism and outlines a comprehensive approach to patient management. Moreover, given the rarity of reported bilateral polyorchidism, this case provides further insights into this unusual medical condition.