OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine clinical characteristics that are associated with tuberculosis orchitis in patients who present with a testicular mass.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analytic retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent radical orchiectomy for a possible testicular malignancy based on a testicular mass from 2005 to 2009. The following data were derived from a review of the patient's charts: patient age, laterality of the disease, duration of symptoms, concomitant extra-testicular tuberculosis (TB), pre-operative anti-TB treatment received, pertinent pre-operative physical findings, pertinent diagnostics done pre-operatively, and intra-operative findings.

RESULTS: The prevalence of testicular tuberculosis in persons who underwent radical orchiectomy for a scrotal mass is 31.8%. TB orchitis occurs more often in younger patients, those who have had tuberculosis in the past, or have received treatment, those with larger testicular masses, those with scrotal skin sinus and tenderness or swelling, tunica, vaginalis invasion, scrotal skin invasion, and epididymal enlargement, and those with cheesy substance noted in intraoperative findings. There were no significant differences between testicular tuberculosis and testicular tumor in terms of ultrasound findings.

CONCLUSION: Testicular tuberculosis is prevalent among patients who underwent radical orchiectomy due to a scrotal mass. Several clinical characteristics preoperatively and intraoperatively may predict TB orchitis in these patients.