This article is an answer to the Case – Patient with Diabetic Nephropathy and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Although no hydronephrosis or radiopaque kidney stones were present, bilateral tubular calcification of the vasa deferentia was incidentally noted on a plain radiograph (Panel A, arrows) and on an axial section of a computed tomographic image of the pelvis, performed without the administration of contrast material (Panel B, arrows).
Calcification of the vas deferens is most commonly seen in patients with diabetes. It has also been reported in association with:
- advanced age
- mechanical obstruction of the vas deferens
- urogenital tuberculosis
- chronic gonorrheal or chlamydial infection
- schistosomiasis
- hyperparathyroidism
Calcified vasa deferentia may result in male infertility. In this patient, the finding required no further investigation or treatment beyond the appropriate management of the diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and abnormalities in mineral metabolism.