Rete tubular ectasia
Rete tubular ectasia, also known as cystic transformation of rete testis<ref name="Dogra 2001">Template:Cite journal</ref> is a benign condition, usually found in older men, involving numerous small, tubular cystic structures within the rete testis.
Presentation
It is usually found in men older than 55 years and is frequently found on bilateral testes but is often asymmetrical.<ref name="Dogra 2001"/>
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.<ref name=nair>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Diagnosis
The condition can be detected with ultrasonography. Cystic lesions us usually found at the mediastinum testis with elongated shaped lesions displacing the mediastinum.<ref name="Dogra 2001"/> 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.<ref name=bhatt>Template:Cite journal</ref> Another distinguishing feature is that tubular ectasia of the testes is confined only to the mediastinum, unlike testicular cancer such as cystic teratoma of the testis which spreads throughout the testis.<ref name="Dogra 2001"/>
Treatment
Typically none is required, but they can be treated surgically if symptomatic.<ref name=bhatt />
Additional images
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Tubular ectasia of the rete testis
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Tubular ectasia of the rete testis
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Tubular ectasia of the rete testis
