Ectopic spleen in testicular parenchyma: case report

Abstract

Clinical case description: This report presents the case of a 32-year-old man with palpable solid nodule in the left testicle with a diagnostic hypothesis of testicular cancer, which turned out to be splenic tissue through pathological anatomy analysis. Relevance: The splenogonadal fusion is a rare and benign congenital anomaly related to the presence of ectopic spleen tissue in the gonadal parenchyma, caused by fusion between these two tissues during the fifth or sixth week of embryonic development. This condition is of great importance because its diagnosis is difficult and often confused with other gonadal disorders such as testicular neoplasm. Clinical implications: The most common consequence of this testicular disorder is the unnecessary orchiectomy, in which a variety of cases are submitted. To avoid testicle removal, intraoperative pathological examination can be used in these cases. Conclusions: The ectopic spleen in testicular parenchyma is a rare condition and its diagnosis is difficult. It is important to consider this condition as a differential diagnosis in testicular disorders, especially in the case of diagnostic hypothesis of testicular cancer, so that testicle removal can be prevented by the use of intraoperative pathological exam.