Unilateral testicular seminoma with simultaneous contralateral torsion: a case report

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common malignancies in men, including young adults, and their incidence has been increasing in almost all developed countries [1, 2]. Testicular torsion is also a scrotal phenomenon seen not only in adolescence, but also in adulthood [3]. These two scrotal disorders can complicate each other, but cases in which each testis has each scrotal disease independently are extremely rare [4]. In this report, we encountered a 28-year-old man presenting with a simultaneous seminoma and contralateral torsion. The scrotal disorders seemed to suggest bilateral TGCTs as a differential diagnosis, but corrective treatment was possible with the aid of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

A healthy, engaged 28-year-old East Asian man presented at our hospital with a two-week history of right-side scrotal swelling and a three-month history of left-side scrotal enlargement. He had complained of temporary dull pain in his right scrotum, but the pain had disappeared within a day. He had no history of prior scrotal surgery, cryptorchidism or infections. On physical examination, his right scrotum was slightly swollen, whereas his left scrotum had marked swelling and a hard mass was detectable. A scrotal ultrasound showed heterogeneous bilateral scrotal masses that were hypoechoic on the right but hyperechoic on the left. Doppler ultrasonography indicated a diffuse hypovascular area in the right scrotal mass but iso- and hypervascular on the left. Pelvic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated that his right testis was normal in size with decreased enhancement, whereas his left testis was much larger with heterogeneous enhancement (Figure 1).

These findings seemed to suggest bilateral TGCTs as a differential diagnosis, but his right testis did not have typical features of a TGCT; therefore, we examined his bilateral testes with MRI. His right testis had a serpiginous vessel and the intratesticular lesion showed high intensity on the T2-weighted image (Figure 2A), but lack of contrast enhancement (Figure 2B). His left testis had a large multinodular tumor with high intensity on the T2-weighted image (Figure 3). According to the MRI findings, his right and left testes were diagnosed with hemorrhagic infarction and a testicular tumor, respectively. Before further treatment, we performed a sperm test. Sperm were present (8 million/mL) and were cryopreserved for use in an assisted reproductive technique, although his levels of luteotropic hormone (15.6mIU/mL) and follicle-stimulating hormone (49.0mIU/mL) were high.

Based on the preoperative diagnosis, a transverse scrotal incision was made to allow right scrotal exploration. Since inspection of his right testis revealed a necrotic testis with 270° intravaginal torsion of the spermatic cord, his right testis was removed. Left radical orchiectomy was then carried out.

Pathological examination demonstrated hemorrhagic infarction and dilated vessels in his right testis (Figure 4A), and typical seminoma cells and atrophy of seminiferous tubules in his left testis (Figure 4B). Preoperative laboratory examination showed a high lactic dehydrogenase level of 580IU/L and normal alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin levels in his serum. Because an abdominal CT showed para-aortic retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, 9mm in size, we diagnosed seminoma stage IIA, which has a good prognosis according to the definition of the International Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group. Therefore, our patient was promptly given chemotherapy in three cycles of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin [5]. At the end of the three cycles, a follow-up CT scan showed complete resolution of the previous retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy and the tumor marker level was undetectable. After bilateral castration his serum level of testosterone was markedly decreased, so we started supplemental therapy of testosterone for his erectile function.

The estimated incidence of testicular torsion in men is 4.5 per 100,000 [4], and the incidence of TGCT in men during their lifetime is 5.1 per 100,000 [6]. TGCT with contralateral testicular torsion is still extremely rare. There have been some case reports of TGCT with ipsilateral testicular torsion, most detected after presenting with acute scrotal pain as a symptom of torsion. The causes of TGCT with developed torsion remain unclear, but there is a report that 96% of patients with testicular torsion have anatomical variations, such as bell clapper deformity and a long mesorchium [7]. Srinivasan et al. reported that hyperactivity of the cremasteric reflex, stimulated by cold weather, has been postulated as the physiopathology of acute testicular torsion [8].

In general, the differential diagnosis to distinguish from bilateral TGCT is important because the intraoperative approaches, such as ligation of the spermatic cord and the site of incision, are significantly different depending on whether the testis is cancerous. In fact, the incidence of bilateral TGCT in patients with a TGCT has been reported as 1 to 3% [9], and patients with seminoma were especially at significantly higher risk for bilateral disease than those with a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. In our patient, his right testis was diagnosed with hemorrhagic infarction with torsion by MRI, intraoperative and histopathological findings. Microscopic examination revealed markedly dilated vessels caused by torsion. These findings proved the diagnosis as a testicular infarction, not a tumor.

Most solid intratesticular masses should be considered malignant, and radical orchiectomy is the treatment of choice. To avoid unnecessary orchiectomy, however, it is extremely important to recognize the imaging features of various benign intratesticular mass lesions, including orchitis, hemorrhage, ischemia and infarction, fibrosis, and dilatation of the rete testis. Cohen et al. reported the first case of a testicular mixed germ cell tumor with contralateral testicular torsion [10]. Although they mainly used a radionuclide scrotal scan to diagnose the torsion, it would not be useful for other scrotal disorders. Although Doppler ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT imaging are often used as diagnostic tools for acute scrotal disease, including torsion, inconclusive results may often be observed and their efficacy depends on the operator’s skill [11]. Dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MRI could provide information about testicular perfusion and is useful to diagnose scrotal disorders [12]. Diffusion-weighted MRI can also enable the detection of testicular torsion [11]. Tsili et al. indicated that the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of malignant testicular tumors were 100%, 87.5% and 96.4%, respectively [13]. The advantages of this technique include the acquisition of precise anatomic information, satisfactory tissue contrast, and imaging in various planes. MRI is an efficient diagnostic tool for the evaluation of testicular masses, especially in preoperative differentiation, as in our case. In addition, it is important to preserve postoperative fertility in patients with both unilateral and bilateral TGCTs. The most effective means of preserving fertility in these patients is sperm cryopreservation before the initiation of cancer-directed therapy [14]. In this case, we could preserve his sperm before orchiectomy and avoid a hasty operation with useful findings from MRI.

This is an extremely rare report of a patient presenting with simultaneous right testicular torsion and left seminoma, which could be differentiated from bilateral TGCT by MRI. We believe that accurate examination using MRI is necessary to diagnose bilateral scrotal masses and evaluate the perioperative conditions to ensure the postoperative quality of life of patients.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.