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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2023IgA vasculitis (IgAV), previously known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common vasculitis of childhood but may also occur in adults. This small vessel... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
IgA vasculitis (IgAV), previously known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common vasculitis of childhood but may also occur in adults. This small vessel vasculitis is characterised by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis or arthralgia and kidney involvement. This is an update of a review first published in 2009 and updated in 2015.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of different agents (used singularly or in combination) compared with placebo, no treatment or any other agent for (1) the prevention of severe kidney disease in people with IgAV with or without kidney involvement at onset, (2) the treatment of established severe kidney disease (macroscopic haematuria, proteinuria, nephritic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome with or without acute kidney failure) in IgAV, and (3) the prevention of recurrent episodes of IgAV-associated kidney disease.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 2 February 2023 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing interventions used to prevent or treat kidney disease in IgAV compared with placebo, no treatment or other agents were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently determined study eligibility, assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from each study. Statistical analyses were performed using the random-effects model, and the results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Confidence in the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
MAIN RESULTS
Twenty studies (1963 enrolled participants) were identified; one three-arm study has been assessed as two studies. Nine studies were at low risk of bias for sequence generation (selection bias), and nine studies were at low risk of bias for allocation concealment (selection bias). Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) and outcome assessment (detection bias) was at low risk of bias in four and seven studies, respectively. Nine studies reported complete outcome data (attrition bias), while 10 studies reported expected outcomes, so were at low risk of reporting bias. Five studies were at low risk of other bias. Eleven studies evaluated therapy to prevent persistent kidney disease in IgAV with or without kidney involvement at presentation. There was probably no difference in the risk of persistent kidney disease any time after treatment (5 studies, 746 children: RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.32) or at one, three, six and 12 months in children given prednisone for 14 to 28 days at presentation of IgAV compared with placebo or supportive treatment (moderate certainty evidence). There may be no differences in the risk of any persistent kidney disease with antiplatelet therapy (three studies) or heparin (two studies) in children with or without any kidney disease at study entry, although heparin may reduce the risk of proteinuria by three months compared with placebo or no specific treatment (2 studies, 317 children: RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.73). One study comparing montelukast with placebo found no differences in outcomes as assessed by severity scale scores. Nine studies examined the treatment of severe IgAV-associated kidney disease. In two studies (one involving 56 children and the other involving 54 adults), there may be no differences in efficacy outcomes or adverse effects with cyclophosphamide compared with placebo or supportive treatment. In two studies, there may be no differences in the numbers achieving remission of proteinuria with intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (65 children evaluated) or tacrolimus (142 children evaluated). In three small studies comparing cyclosporin with methylprednisolone (15 children), MMF with azathioprine (26 children), or MMF with leflunomide (19 children), it is unclear whether the treatment had any effect on the numbers in remission or the degree of proteinuria between treatment groups because of small numbers of included participants. In one study comparing plasmapheresis, cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone, there may be no difference in the numbers achieving remission. One study compared fosinopril with no specific therapy and reported fosinopril reduced the number of participants with proteinuria. No studies were identified that evaluated the efficacy of therapy on kidney disease in participants with recurrent episodes of IgAV.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There are no substantial changes in conclusions from this update compared with the initial review or the previous update despite the addition of five studies. From generally low to moderate certainty evidence, we found that there may be little or no benefit in the use of corticosteroids or antiplatelet agents to prevent persistent kidney disease in children with IgAV in participants with no or minimal kidney involvement at presentation. We did not find any studies which evaluated corticosteroids in children presenting with IgAV and nephritic and/or nephrotic syndrome, although corticosteroids are recommended in such children in guidelines. Though heparin may be effective in reducing proteinuria, this potentially dangerous therapy is not justified to prevent serious kidney disease when few children with IgAV develop severe kidney disease. There may be no benefit of cyclophosphamide compared with no specific treatment or corticosteroids. While there may be no benefit in the efficacy of MMF or tacrolimus compared with IV cyclophosphamide in children or adults with IgAV and severe kidney disease, adverse effects, particularly infections, may be lower in MMF or tacrolimus-treated children. Because of small patient numbers and events leading to imprecision in results, it remains unclear whether cyclosporin, MMF or leflunomide have any role in the treatment of children with IgAV and severe kidney disease. We did not identify any studies which evaluated corticosteroids.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Fosinopril; IgA Vasculitis; Kidney Diseases; Leflunomide; Proteinuria; Tacrolimus; Vasculitis
PubMed: 36853224
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005128.pub4 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Feb 2017Breast cancer detections for women with suspicious lesions mainly depend on two non-operative pathological tests-fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
A sensitivity and specificity comparison of fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy in evaluation of suspicious breast lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PURPOSE
Breast cancer detections for women with suspicious lesions mainly depend on two non-operative pathological tests-fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB). The aim of this systematic review was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of CNB and FNAC in this setting.
METHODS
The data sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) till February 2016. We included prospective series of studies which directly compared the accuracy of FNAC and CNB. We used forest plots to display the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC and CNB respectively. Pre-specified subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis were conducted.
RESULTS
Ultimately, 12 articles (1802 patients) were included in the final analysis. The pooled analysis shows that the sensitivity of CNB is better than that of FNAC [87% (95% CI, 84%-88%, I = 88.5%) versus 74% (95% CI, 72%-77%, I = 88.3%)] and the specificity of CNB is similar to that of FNAC [98% (95% CI, 96%-99%, I = 76.2%) versus 96% (95% CI, 94%-98%, I = 39.0%)]. For subgroup analysis, the sensitivities of both tests are better for palpable lesions than that of non-palpable lesions. Sensitivity analysis shows the robustness of the primary analysis.
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that both of FNAC and CNB have good clinical performance. In similar circumstances, the sensitivity of CNB is better than that of FNAC, while their specificities are similar. FNAC could be still considered the first choice to evaluate suspicious nonpalpable breast lesions.
Topics: Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 27866091
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.11.009 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jan 2022Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a rare extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) of ulcerative colitis (UC). Observations about its association with UC stem from case... (Review)
Review
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a rare extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) of ulcerative colitis (UC). Observations about its association with UC stem from case reports and small case series. Due to its rarity, more rigorous cross-sectional studies are scarce and difficult to conduct. The aim of this systematic review was to synthetize the knowledge on this association by reviewing published literature in the form of both case reports and case series; and report the findings according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. In contrast to LCV in Chron disease (CD), which occurs secondary to biologic therapies used for its treatment, LCV in UC is a true reactive skin manifestation. Both genders are equally affected. Palpable purpura (41%) and erythematous plaques (27%) are the most common clinical manifestations. In 41% of patients, the rash is painful, and the lower extremities are most commonly involved (73%). Systemic symptoms such as fever, arthralgias, fatigue, and malaise are seen in 60% of patients. Unlike previous reports, we found that LCV more commonly occurs after the UC diagnosis (59%), and 68% of patients have active intestinal disease at the time of LCV diagnosis. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is positive in 41% of patients, and 36% of patients have other EIMs present concomitantly with LCV. The majority of patients were treated with corticosteroids (77%), and two (10%) required colectomy to control UC and LCV symptoms. Aside from one patient who died from unrelated causes, all others survived with their rash typically resolving without scarring (82%).
PubMed: 35160187
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030739 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2015Dupuytren's disease is a benign fibroproliferative disorder that causes the fingers to be drawn into the palm via formation of new tissue under the glabrous skin of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Dupuytren's disease is a benign fibroproliferative disorder that causes the fingers to be drawn into the palm via formation of new tissue under the glabrous skin of the hand. This disorder causes functional limitations, but it can be treated through a variety of surgical techniques. As a chronic condition, it tends to recur.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of different surgical procedures for treatment of Dupuytren's contracture of the index, middle, ring and little fingers.
SEARCH METHODS
We initially searched the following databases on 17 September 2012, then re-searched them on 10 March 2014 and on 20 May 2015: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), The Cochrane Library, the British Nursing Index and Archive (BNI), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, the Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE-In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, ProQuest (ABI/INFORM Global and Dissertations & Theses), the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov. We reviewed the reference lists of short-listed articles to identify additional suitable studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised clinical trials and controlled clinical trials in which groups received surgical intervention for Dupuytren's disease of the index, middle, ring or little finger versus control, or versus another intervention (surgical or otherwise). We excluded the thumb, as cords form on the radial aspect of the thumb and thus are not readily accessible in terms of angular deformity. Furthermore, thumb disease is rare.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
A minimum of two review authors independently reviewed search results to select studies for inclusion by using pre-specified criteria, assessed risk of bias of included studies and extracted data from included studies.We grouped outcomes into the following categories: (1) hand function, (2) other patient-reported outcomes (e.g. satisfaction, pain), (3) early objective outcomes (e.g. correction of angular deformity), (4) late objective outcomes (e.g. recurrence) and (5) adverse effects.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 14 articles describing 13 studies, comprising 11 single-centre studies and two multi-centre studies. These studies involved 944 hands of 940 participants; of these, 93 participants were reported twice in separate articles describing early and late outcomes of one trial. Three papers reported the outcomes of two trials comparing different procedures. One trial compared needle fasciotomy versus fasciectomy (125 hands, 121 participants), and the other compared interposition firebreak skin grafting versus z-plasty closure of fasciectomy (79 participants). The other 11 studies reported trials of technical refinements of procedures or rehabilitation adjuncts. Of these, three investigated effects of postoperative splinting on surgical outcomes.Ten studies (11 articles) were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of varying methodological quality; one was a controlled clinical trial. Trial design was unclear in two studies awaiting classification. All trials had high or unclear risk of at least one type of bias. High risks of performance and detection bias were particularly common. We downgraded the quality of evidence (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation - GRADE) of outcomes to low because of concerns about risk of bias and imprecision.Outcomes measured varied between studies. Five articles assessed recurrence; two defined this as reappearance of palpable disease and two as deterioration in angular deformity; one did not explicitly define recurrence.Hand function on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Scale (scores between 0 and 100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment) was 5 points lower after needle fasciotomy than after fasciectomy at five weeks. Patient satisfaction was better after fasciotomy at six weeks, but the magnitude of effect was not specified. Fasciectomy improved contractures more effectively in severe disease: Mean percentage reduction in total passive extension deficit at six weeks for Tubiana grades I and II was 11% lower after needle fasciotomy than after fasciectomy, whereas for grades III and IV disease, it was 29% and 32% lower.Paraesthesia (defined as subjective tingling sensation without objective evidence of altered sensation) was more common than needle fasciotomy at one week after fasciectomy (228/1000 vs 67/1000), but reporting of complications was variable.By five years, satisfaction (on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores showing greater satisfaction) was 2.1/10 points higher in the fasciectomy group than in the fasciotomy group, and recurrence was greater after fasciotomy (849/1000 vs 209/1000). Firebreak skin grafting did not improve outcomes more than fasciectomy alone, although this procedure took longer to perform.One trial investigated four weeks of day and night splinting followed by two months of night splinting after surgery. The other two trials investigated three months of night splinting after surgery, but participants in 'no splint' groups with early deterioration at one week were issued a splint for use. All three studies demonstrated no benefit from splinting. The two trials investigating postoperative night splinting were suitable for meta-analysis, which demonstrated no benefit from splinting: Mean DASH score in the splint groups was 1.15 points lower (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.32 to 4.62) than in the no splint groups. Mean total active extension in the splint groups was 2.21 degrees greater (95% CI -3.59 to 8.01 degrees) than in the no splint groups. Mean total active flexion in the splint groups was 8.42 degrees less (95% CI 1.78 to 15.07 degrees) than in the no splint groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, insufficient evidence is available to show the relative superiority of different surgical procedures (needle fasciotomy vs fasciectomy, or interposition firebreak skin grafting vs z-plasty closure of fasciectomy). Low-quality evidence suggests that postoperative splinting may not improve outcomes and may impair outcomes by reducing active flexion. Further trials on this topic are urgently required.
Topics: Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; Dupuytren Contracture; Fasciotomy; Fingers; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 26648251
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010143.pub2 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Feb 2024Percutaneous tracheostomy is routinely performed in adult patients but is seldomly used in the pediatric population due to concerns regarding safety and limited... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Percutaneous tracheostomy is routinely performed in adult patients but is seldomly used in the pediatric population due to concerns regarding safety and limited available evidence. This study aims to consolidate the current literature on percutaneous tracheostomy in the pediatric population.
METHODS
A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for studies on pediatric percutaneous tracheostomy (age ≤18). The Joanna Briggs Institute and ROBINS-I tools were used for quality appraisal.
RESULTS
Twenty-one articles were included resulting in 143 patients. Patient age ranged from 2 days to 17 years, with the largest subpopulation of patients (n = 57, 40 %) being adolescents (age between 12 and 17 years old). Main indications for percutaneous tracheostomy included prolonged ventilation (n = 6), respiratory insufficiency (n = 5), and upper airway obstruction (n = 5). One-third (n = 47) of percutaneous tracheostomies were completed at the bedside in an intensive care unit. Select studies reported on surgical time and time from intubation to tracheostomy with a mean of 13.8 (SD = 7.8) minutes (n = 27) and 8.9 (SD = 2.8) days (n = 35), respectively. Major postoperative complications included tracheoesophageal fistula (n = 4, 2.8 %) and pneumothorax (n = 3, 2.1 %). There were four conversions to open tracheostomy.
CONCLUSION
Percutaneous tracheostomy had a similar risk of complications to open surgical tracheostomy in children and adolescents and can be performed at the bedside in a select group of patients if necessary. However, we feel that consideration must be given to the varying anatomical considerations in children and adolescents compared with adults, and therefore suggest that this procedure be reserved for adolescent patients with a thin body habitus and clearly demarcated and palpable anatomical landmarks who require a tracheostomy. When performed, we strongly support using endoscopic guidance and a surgeon who has the ability to convert to an open tracheostomy if required.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Infant, Newborn; Tracheostomy; Postoperative Complications; Endoscopy; Intensive Care Units; Operative Time
PubMed: 38185003
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111856 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.... May 2024Nipple adenomas (NAs) are rare benign proliferative tumors presenting as palpable nodules, erosive lesions, or nipple discharge, mimicking other conditions. This...
BACKGROUND
Nipple adenomas (NAs) are rare benign proliferative tumors presenting as palpable nodules, erosive lesions, or nipple discharge, mimicking other conditions. This systematic review categorizes cases into sole NA (ONA) or co-diagnoses with other conditions (CONA) to enhance clinical recognition, diagnosis, and treatment efficacy.
METHODS
Following PRISMA guidelines, a PubMed search was conducted for NA. Inclusion criteria covered original research, excluding reviews or other breast diseases. Bias risk was assessed through a thorough search, authors independently evaluated studies, and data were synthesized using varied measures. Subgroups ONA and CONA were formed. Analyses were conducted in Excel and R, complemented by a qualitative review due to case report predominance. Biases in case reports were transparently addressed.
RESULTS
Of the 86 studies, 387 cases were analyzed, showing 10.34% with co-diagnoses of malignant or premalignant conditions. Mean age was 44, with a female predominance (97%). ONA (347 cases) and CONA (40 cases) subgroups exhibited variations in symptoms, physical findings, and imaging. Treatment modalities included excision (51.39%), biopsy alone (11.1%), and mastectomy (8.6%). Mean follow-up of 56.73 months revealed recurrence (2.87%) and malignancy development (1.79%), notably in CONA cases (33.33%).
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides insights into the broader age range of NA and its associations. Higher co-diagnosis rates were correlated with older age, highlighting the necessity for thorough investigation, with excision as the primary treatment. Follow-up emphasizes the significance of identifying and monitoring CONA cases, which pose a higher malignancy risk. Recurrence is presumed to be linked to proper lesion excision and co-diagnosis.
PubMed: 38798941
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005827 -
Patient Education and Counseling Aug 2017A systematic review and qualitative synthesis was undertaken to deduce the knowledge, attitudes, skills and training of mental health professionals regarding complicated... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review and qualitative synthesis was undertaken to deduce the knowledge, attitudes, skills and training of mental health professionals regarding complicated grief (CG).
METHODS
PsychInfo, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PBSC, Web of Science and ERIC databases were used to identify relevant literature. Searches were executed from inception to September 2014.
RESULTS
The electronic search yielded 305 results. Forty-one papers were selected for full text review, 20 were included for analysis. 6 examined primary data, the remaining 14 being reviews, opinion or guideline pieces.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the lack of consensus on terminology, criteria and diagnosis, it appears that there is more than sufficient agreement within the CG research community regarding the knowledge and skills required to assist someone presenting with CG. A palpable fear of medicalising grief exists, but this would seem to be based on a conflation of normal grief and CG. This review highlights the mainly unidirectional nature of current research, the voice of the practitioner being largely unheard. A need for and an interest in training in CG was expressed.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
There is an urgent need to translate research findings into clinical practice. Training must take account of attitudinal barriers to implementation, balancing evidence and stories.
Topics: Grief; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Psychiatry; Psychology
PubMed: 28320560
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.03.010 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2022To compare the safety, efficacy, and cosmetic results of single-incision scrotal orchiopexy (SISO) and traditional two-incision inguinal orchiopexy (TTIO) for primary...
Comparison of Single-Incision Scrotal Orchiopexy and Traditional Two-Incision Inguinal Orchiopexy for Primary Palpable Undescended Testis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
PURPOSE
To compare the safety, efficacy, and cosmetic results of single-incision scrotal orchiopexy (SISO) and traditional two-incision inguinal orchiopexy (TTIO) for primary palpable undescended testes (PUDTs) in children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search of all relevant studies published on PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science database, and Wanfang data until July 2021 was conducted. The operative time, hospitalization duration, conversion rate, wound infection or dehiscence, scrotal hematoma or swelling, testicular atrophy, reascent, hernia or hydrocele, analgesics needs, and cosmetic results were compared between SISO and TTIO using the Mantel-Haenszel or inverse-variance method.
RESULTS
A total of 17 studies involving 2,627 children (1,362 SISOs and 1,265 TTIOs) were included in the final analysis. The conversion rate of SISO was 3.6%. The SISO approach had a statistically significant shorter operative time than the TTIO approach for PUDT (weighted mean difference-11.96, 95% confidence interval -14.33 to -9.59, I = 79%, < 0.00001) and a shorter hospital stay (weighted mean difference-1.05, 95% confidence interval -2.07 to -0.03, = 0.04). SISO needed fewer analgesics and had better cosmetic results than TTIO. SISO had a similar total, short-term, or long-term complication rate with TTIO.
CONCLUSION
Compared with TTIO, SISO has the advantages of shorter operative time, shorter hospitalization duration, less postoperative pain, and better cosmetic appealing results. SISO is a safe, effective, promising, and potential minimal invasive surgical approach for PUDT. SISO is an alternative to TTIO in selected cryptorchid patients, especially for lower positioned ones.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42021268562.
PubMed: 35372152
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.805579 -
Journal de Gynecologie, Obstetrique Et... Dec 2015The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of physical examination, radiologic explorations and percutaneous procedures of the breast in the exploration of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of physical examination, radiologic explorations and percutaneous procedures of the breast in the exploration of a non-inflammatory palpable mass, in order to propose guidelines.
METHOD
A systematic literature review was conducted in the Medline and Cochrane library databases. International guidelines in French and English language were also consulted until April 30th 2015.
RESULTS
Physical examination of a non-inflammatory palpable breast mass is not sufficient to eliminate a breast cancer (LE2). Mammography alone has a sensitivity between 70 and 95% for the diagnosis of breast cancer (LE3). Echography alone has a sensitivity of 98 to 100% for the diagnosis of breast cancer (LE2). The core needle biopsy has a better sensitivity and specificity than the fine-needle aspiration for breast cancer diagnosis (LE2). The association of mammography and 2D echography presents excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value (close to 100 %) to exclude a breast cancer (LE3). A double evaluation using mammography and echography is recommended in the exploration of a non-inflammatory palpable breast mass (grade B).
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Radiography; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 26541562
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgyn.2015.09.045 -
European Urology Focus Mar 2023Unlike palpable lumps, a large number of nonpalpable testicular lesions found incidentally at ultrasound in asymptomatic postpuberal males are either benign tumours or... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Unlike palpable lumps, a large number of nonpalpable testicular lesions found incidentally at ultrasound in asymptomatic postpuberal males are either benign tumours or non-neoplastic lesions. The prevalence of malignancy, however, is appraised based on small case series. Dedicated studies report a large number of patients, and systematic review articles are lacking.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review is aimed to assess, from the analysis of the pooled data of the available literature, the incidence of benign tumours, malignant tumours, and non-neoplastic lesions, and to identify predictive characteristics for malignancy.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) database, and the Cochrane Library was conducted on January 6, 2022, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Studies were retrieved reporting on adult asymptomatic men, with single, incidentally identified small testicular lesions, either fertile or infertile, with negative tumour markers and without specific risk factors for malignancy. Lesions ≤20 mm were considered small. Seventy-four studies were selected for inclusion in this analysis. Twenty-six additional publications have been retrieved by the bibliography quoted in the selected articles.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Pooled data of 1348 lesions in 1348 patients were collected. Of these lesions, 408 could be retrieved individually, 44.6% were benign, 27.2% were malignant, and 20.8% were non-neoplastic. Virtually all lesions <3 mm and 86.6% of lesions <5 mm were benign. Lesions >10 mm have a 38.14% probability of being benign. Hyperechoic lesions are likely benign. Fertility status does not affect the risk of malignancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Very small (<3 mm) and small (<5 mm) incidentally detected testicular lesions in asymptomatic postpuberal men with normal tumour markers could be frequently benign. More prospective studies are needed to better support this finding. Management strategies should be developed for these patients to reduce overtreatment.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Small testicular lesions are incidentally founded at ultrasound. It is not easy to distinguish a benign lesion from a malignant one. Results of this study are reporting a higher incidence of benign lesions with a diameter of <5 mm. More studies are needed to better understand the biology and the management strategy for small testicular lesions.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Testicular Neoplasms; Ultrasonography; Prospective Studies; Infertility
PubMed: 36257887
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2022.10.001