Is orchiectomy avoidable in testicular tuberculosis mimicking malignancy? A case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Isolated testicular tuberculosis (TB) is extremely uncommon. It has non-specific presentation; thus, diagnosis is challenging and is often discovered on pathology examination after orchiectomy. Case presentation We report herein the case of a 73-year-old male, with no significant medical or family history, who presented with left scrotal swelling, physical examination revealed a left testicular firm mass measuring 3 cm and ultrasound was suggestive of testicular tumor. Left inguinal orchiectomy was performed and the pathologic examination revealed testicular TB. The presentation was typically mimicking a testicular cancer with no evocative evidence of TB; this can lead to a dilemma and highlights the need to consider TB in differential diagnosis of testicular tumor, especially in areas endemic for the disease. Conclusions The aim of our presentation is to argue if orchiectomy was avoidable. It also illustrates the probable hematogenous or lymphatic spread of Mtb to the testicle.

Keywords

• Genitourinary tuberculosis
• Testicular tuberculosis
• Testicular tumor
• Orchiectomy