Rete tubular ectasia

Rete tubular ectasia is a benign condition, usually found in older men, involving numerous small, tubular cystic structures within the rete testis.

Ultrasound image showing tubular ectasia of the rete testis as an incidental finding in an 81 year old male

Mechanism

The formation of cysts in the rete testis is associated with the obstruction of the efferent ducts, which connect the rete testis with the head of the epididymis. They are often bilateral.[1]

Diagnosis

The condition can be detected with sonography. It is commonly associated with epididymal abnormalities, such as spermatocele, epididymal cyst, and epididymitis. The condition shares a common location with cystic dysplasia of the testis and intratesticular cysts. Unlike cystic neoplasms, they don't present specific tumor markers.[2]

Treatment

Typically none is required, but they can be treated surgically if symptomatic.[2]

Additional images
  • Tubular ectasia of the rete testis
  • Tubular ectasia of the rete testis
  • Tubular ectasia of the rete testis

References
  1. Nair, R; Abbaraju, J; Rajbabu, K; Anjum, F; Sriprasad, S (October 2008). "Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: a diagnostic dilemma". Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 90 (7): W1–3. doi:10.1308/147870808X303119. PMC 2728311. PMID 18831860.
  2. Bhatt, S; Jafri, SZ; Wasserman, N; Dogra, VS (March 2011). "Imaging of non-neoplastic intratesticular masses". Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Ankara, Turkey). 17 (1): 52–63. doi:10.4261/1305-3825.DIR.3116-09.0. PMID 20677130.
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