Diffuse hyalinization of the seminiferous tubules may be identified in a testicular biopsy from an infertile male. It is associated with a poor reproductive prognosis.
Synonym: tubular sclerosis
Patient selection: infertile male
Histologic features in a testicular biopsy:
(1) There is marked peritubular and intratubular hyalinization.
(2) Absent or markedly reduced germ and Sertoli cells (absence of intratubular cells).
(3) The hyalinization is extensive, affecting all or almost all tubules within a biopsy.
Possible causes:
(1) Klinefelter syndrome
(2) status post ischemia
(3) status post infection
(4) idiopathic
Differential diagnosis – conditions with focal tubular hyalinization:
(1) senile change
(2) mixed pattern
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