Testes and scrotum Flashcards
Differential diagnosis of unilateral testis (5)
Undescended testis (true cryptorchidism ) Retractile testis Ectopic testis Unilateral orchidectomy Agenesis
Main 2 causes of bilateral empty scrotum
Children: bilaterally undescended testes
Adults: bilateral orchidectomy (prostate ca metastasise here)
Explain normal testicular descent (7)
- Transabdominal migration:initiated by gubernacular swelling. Hormone = mullerian inhibiting substance
- Inguinoscrotal descent: preceded by protrusion of gubernaculum and process vaginalis into scrotum. Hormone = NB testosterone
Usually completed by 32 weeks.
Treatment of undescended testes (3)
Re-examine at 6 months of age. ( ideally desc by 12-18 months )
If still not descended:
If impalpable, do laparoscopy to localise testes(intra-abdominal/inguinal) or diagnose with anorchia.
If palpable =orchidopexy.
3 causes of undescended testes
Intrinsically abnormal testes causing incomplete descent.
Hormonal: “surge” of testosterone during first 3 months of life absent
Mechanical: prune belly syndrome (bilateral)
Treatment of retractile testis
Most are normal. Examine annually to inspect for ascending testes or “stuck” testes in upper scrotum inguinal region (will need orchidopexy)
Clinical findings of retractile testis (2)
Normal scrotal development
Can “ milk” testes out of inguinal canal and replace in scrotum
Classification of UDT (3)
Abdominal (prox to int inguinal ring)
Inguinal (between internal and external inguinal ring - most common)
Upper scrotal
Clinical findings of undescended testes
Hypoplastic scrotum with less rugae
Impalpable or palpable outside of scrotum
What needs to be investigated if bilateral impalpable testes?
Intersex disorders. Especially if associated with hypospadias, micropenis.
5 complications of undescended testes
- Malignancy (especially intra-abdominal )
- Infertility (spermatogenesis affected more than hormone prod)
- Inguinal hernia (95 % patent process vaginalis)
- Testicular torsion
- Trauma
Most common site of ectopic testis
Superficial inguinal pouch (just lat to external inguinal ring)
Treat ectopic testes?
Always orchidopexy
Clinical feature ectopic testis
Always palpable, because has passed through inguinal canal.
How is hydrocoele diagnosed clinically (6)
- Trans-illuminates
- Painless cystic scrotal swelling
- Testes impalpable if large hydrocoele
- . Fluid thrill
- Fluctuates (unlike enlarged testes)
- Normal spermatic cord palpated above hydrocoele (differentiate from indirect inguinal hernia)
Clinical features of varicocoele (6)
Pain when erect, otherwise painless
“ bag of worms” appearance above testis when patient stands
Valsalva makes it more obvious and palpable, pulsates
Cough impulse (venous thrill)
May have ipsilateral testicular atrophy
Disappear when lie down
90% left sided, 10% bilat
Complications varicocoele
Infertility due to increased intrascrotal temp and venous anoxia (oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia - “stress pattern” on semenalysis)