Cystic Ectasia of the Rete Testis: Clinical and Radiographic Features

Introduction: Tubular ectasia of the rete testis is a benign condition due to dilatation of the rete testis. It is a rare and underreported condition in medical literature, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Typical sonographic appearance is a cluster of small anechoic structures in the confluence of the mediastinum testis without a solid component or vascularization on color Doppler. Case Report: We report the case of a 66-year-old man who presented to our department with a palpable testicular mass for 1 year. His medical history was unremarkable, with no history of herniorraphy, vasectomy, epididymitis, or trauma. On physical examination, the right testis was swollen and firmer. Testicular ultrasound showed clustered anechoic tubular structures in the rete testis of the right testis. No solid components or calcifications were observed. Doppler studies showed no evidence of impaired blood flow. Overall, the appearance of the right testis was highly suggestive of intratesticular cysts with tubular ectasia. The patient was managed conservatively, and repeat scrotal ultrasound scans at 6 months showed no change in pathology. Conclusion: Cystic ectasia of the rete testis is a benign condition with a characteristic appearance that is often incidentally detected on ultrasound. Increased awareness of this entity can prevent unnecessary investigations, biopsies, and surgical interventions, ensuring appropriate and conservative management for affected patients.