2. Undescended Testis Flashcards
Alternative name for Undescended Testis
Arrested testes
INCIDENCE of Undescended Testis
- General INCIDENCE
* Side INCIDENCE
General INCIDENCE in INCIDENCE of Undescended Testis
- It occurs in 3% of full term babies
* but more common in premature babies
Side INCIDENCE in INCIDENCE of Undescended Testis
All congenital anomalies of testis common on the right
- Right testis : 50%
- Left testis : 30% .
- Bilateral: 20%.
The reason why right undescended testis is more common than left undescended testis in Side INCIDENCE in INCIDENCE of Undescended Testis
due to the later descent of the right testes
ETIOLOGY of Undescended Testis
1- Bilateral cases
2- Unilateral cases
Bilateral cases in ETIOLOGY of Undescended Testis
- ETIOLOGY
* Association
ETIOLOGY of Bilateral cases in ETIOLOGY of Undescended Testis
Usually due to a hormonal defect in maternal B-HCG.
Association of Bilateral cases in ETIOLOGY of Undescended Testis
Usually associated with :
- hypogonadism
- slipped upper femoral epiphysis
Etiology of Unilateral cases in ETIOLOGY of Undescended Testis
Due to anatomical barrier to normal descent
Anatomical barrier to normal descent in Etiology of Unilateral cases in ETIOLOGY of Undescended Testis
- Short testicular artery “spermatic vessels”: most important factor
- Associated hernial sac.
- Inadequate inguinal canal.
- Retroperitoneal adhesions fixing the testis in higher places.
- Rupture gubernaculums.
most important Anatomical barrier to normal descent in Etiology of Unilateral cases in ETIOLOGY of Undescended Testis
Short testicular artery “spermatic vessels”
PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
- The site of undescended testes in order of frequency
- If bilateral, the condition is known as cryptorchidism.
- The size and function of the testis
- Consequences If left in the abdomen:
The site of undescended testes in order of frequency in PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
1- External ring. most common site
2- Neck of the scrotum.
3- Inguinal canal.
4- Lumbar region (intra-abdominal).
Most common site of undescended testes in order of frequency in PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
External ring
The size and function of the testis in PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
- The size and function of the testis remain normal till the age of 6 months
- The destruction of the testis starts from 6 months onwards
- At 2 years, 40% of germ cells are destructed.
- At 6 years, there is complete atrophy of germ cells.
Consequences If left in the abdomen in PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
Effects on
- Testes
- The seminiferous tubules
- The interstitial cells are NOT affected
Effects on testes in Consequences If left in the abdomen in PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
Testes do not grow and becomes atrophic & soft.
Effects on The seminiferous tubules in Consequences If left in the abdomen in PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
The seminiferous tubules become atrophied because of the higher temperature of the abdomen causing failure of spermatogenesis.
Effects on The interstitial cells in Consequences If left in the abdomen in PATHOLOGY of Undescended Testis
The interstitial cells are NOT affected and hence the 2ry sexual characters and erection are normal
Clinical picture of Undescended Testis
- Symptoms
* Examination
Symptoms in Clinical picture of Undescended Testis
The mother observes that one side or both side of the scrotum are empty
Examination in Clinical picture of Undescended Testis
- Scrotum
- Testis Palpation
- Associations
Scrotum Examination in Clinical picture of Undescended Testis
The affected side of the scrotum is empty & not well developed.
Testis Palpation in Examination in Clinical picture of Undescended Testis
- The testis is palpated if arrested in external ring or neck of the scrotum.
- The testis is difficult to be palpated if arrested in inguinal canal.
- The testis is not Palpated if intra-abdominal
- The testis can be identified as it gives sickening sensation when compressed
Associations in Examination in Clinical picture of Undescended Testis
Associated congenital hernia is commonly found in 80-90% of cases
Differential Diagnosis of Undescended Testis
- Ectopic testis
- Testicular agenesis.
- Surgically removed testis.
- Retractile testis
Retractile testis in Differential Diagnosis of Undescended Testis
Definition
Management
Definition of Retractile testis in Differential Diagnosis of Undescended Testis
It is a common condition during childhood due to active cremastric reflex on a small mobile testis.
Management of Retractile testis in Differential Diagnosis of Undescended Testis
- In majority of cases
- In difficult cases
- Retractile testes require no treatment.
In majority of cases in Management of Retractile testis in Differential Diagnosis of Undescended Testis
- By careful & gentle examination in warm surroundings
* The testis is usually brought by the examiner downwards and medially to scrotum
In difficult cases in Management of Retractile testis in Differential Diagnosis of Undescended Testis
- The “chair test” should be tried.
* The “squatting position test” is an alternative one.
The “chair test” In difficult cases in Management of Retractile testis in Differential Diagnosis of Undescended Testis
- The young patient is asked to sit on a chair and hug his knees to his chest.
- Pressure thus directed on to the inguinal canal causes a retractile testis to descend into the scrotum
Difference between Retractile testis and Undescended Testis by
- Scrotum Examination
* Pulling down the testis to the scrotum