Tuberculosis of the spermatic cord extended to the testis in a child mimics a testicular tumor: A case report

TL;DR

A child with a testicular mass was found to have tuberculosis of the spermatic cord, not a tumor, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis.

Contribution

The case highlights the diagnostic challenge of testicular tuberculosis mimicking tumors and suggests using frozen section examination to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Findings

A 5-year-old child with a testicular mass was diagnosed with spermatic cord tuberculosis after orchiectomy.

Frozen section examination could help avoid unnecessary orchiectomy in similar cases.

The patient showed a good clinical outcome following tuberculosis treatment.

Abstract

Spermatic cord tuberculosis with testicular involvement is rare and can closely resemble a testicular tumor, particularly in patients with no prior history of tuberculosis. A 5-year-old child presented with a left inguino-scrotal mass of 1 month's duration and underwent left orchiectomy after a presumptive diagnosis of a testicular tumor. Histopathological diagnosis revealed spermatic cord tuberculosis with testicular involvement. The patient followed the tuberculosis management protocol. At 18 months of follow-up, a good clinical outcome was observed. This condition presents a diagnostic dilemma similar to that of a testicular tumor. Orchiectomy can be avoided if frozen section examination is performed.

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