Ectopic ocular tissue in testicular teratoma: A case report and review of the literature

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022 Mar:92:106854. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.106854. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Teratoma is a common neoplasm in prepubertal and post-pubertal periods. It consists of various types of tissues arising from different germinal layers, endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. Ectopic ocular tissue is a rare phenomenon, with only few reported cases in other locations.

Case presentation: This is a 10-month-old boy who presented with a painless scrotal mass. Following orchidectomy, the excised mass confirmed the presence of uveal and retinal tissues originating in a benign testicular teratoma by histopathological examination.

Discussion: Choroidal and retinal tissue are the most frequently encountered ectopic ocular tissue, while the least observed tissue is the lens. Most of the reported cases of ectopic ocular tissue present in ovarian teratomas. The only 2 previously reported cases of ocular-like tissue in testicular teratoma lack well-defined medullary epithelium, uveal, and retinal tissue as in our case.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, developing ocular tissue in a testicular teratoma is extremely rare. Herein we report a unique case with mature defined ocular tissue within a testicular teratoma in an infant, which should not be overlooked.

Keywords: Ectopic; Ocular tissue; Retina; Teratoma; Testicular; Uvea.