Is orchiectomy avoidable in testicular tuberculosis mimicking malignancy? A case report

Abstract

Background: Isolated testicular tuberculosis (TB) is extremely uncommon. It has non-specific presentation; thus, diagnosis is challenging and is often discovered on pathology examination after orchiectomy. Case presentation: We report herein the case of a 73-year-old male, with no significant medical or family history, who presented with left scrotal swelling, physical examination revealed a left testicular firm mass measuring 3 cm and ultrasound was suggestive of testicular tumor. Left inguinal orchiectomy was performed and the pathologic examination revealed testicular TB. The presentation was typically mimicking a testicular cancer with no evocative evidence of TB; this can lead to a dilemma and highlights the need to consider TB in differential diagnosis of testicular tumor, especially in areas endemic for the disease. Conclusions: The aim of our presentation is to argue if orchiectomy was avoidable. It also illustrates the probable hematogenous or lymphatic spread of Mtb to the testicle.