Scrotoliths in the testicular tunica vaginalis in an elderly male cadaver: clinical implications.

Abstract

Scrotoliths, or "scrotal pearls," are calcified fibrous loose bodies found within the tunica vaginalis, often seen during radiological evaluation or autopsies. Chronic inflammation due to trauma, parasitic infestations, and torsion and subsequent detachment of the appendices of the testis or epididymis are postulated mechanisms suggested for their formation. They are benign but can mimic a tumor. Scrotoliths can be diagnosed with high-resolution ultrasonography. Here, we report a case in which, during routine dissection, two scrotoliths were found within the tunica vaginalis of the left testis in an elderly male cadaver. Histologically, the central portion of the scrotoliths exhibited concentric collagen lamellae that enclosed calcified remains of tissue debris. There were no arterioles, venules, or microfilarial larvae seen within them. Awareness about the histological findings can help understand the mechanism that led to their formation.