Undescended Testis and Testicular Tumors Flashcards
Patients with an undescended testicle:
A. Should have an orchiopexy done within the first 3 months of life
B. Need orchiopexy to decrease the incidence of testicular cancer in the future
C. Are not at increased risk for testicular torsion if unrepaired
D. Have no difference in fertility compared with the normal population if the other testicle is in normal position
E. Can be successfully treated with hormone therapy alone.
ANSWER: D
COMMENTS: Undescended testes are found in up to 4.5% of infants, but drop to less than 1% by the age of 1 year. For this reason, surgical correction of undescended testes is deferred until 6 to 9 months of age.
The rate of undescended testes in premature infants is significantly higher.
Undescended testes are at an increased risk for developing cancer in the future, whether or not they are surgically corrected. However, orchiopexy makes examining the testicle for abnormalities easier.
The risk for torsion of a nonrepaired undescended testicle is as high as 20%.
Fertility rates are decreased compared with the general population if bilateral undescended testes are present; however, a unilateral undescended testicle with a normally positioned opposite testicle is normal.
Hormonal therapy with agents such as testosterone, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone has been attempted, but the success rates remain low. Therefore if an undescended testis is present after 6 to 9 months of age, surgical correction should be offered.
What is the differential diagnosis for groin and scrotal swellings in children?
It is broad. Includes inguinal hernia, hydrocele, infections (such as epididymitis), testicular tumors, inguinal lymphadenopathy or abscess, and medical causes of scrotal swelling such as Henoch-Schönlein Purpura.
What should be established on history in children with groin or scrotal swelling?
In babies, gestational age at birth should be determined as inguinal hernias are more common in premature infants. Acuity of the swelling should be established, as well as a history of change in swelling size. It should be determined if there is any associated pain.
What should be established during examination?
Clinicians should confirm that the child is clinically well, with no systemic evi- dence of infection, abdominal distension or bowel obstruction. The swelling should be assessed for its relationship to the inguinal crease, the external ingui- nal ring and the testicle. Lymphadenopathy tends to occur lateral to the inguinal crease, and inguinal hernias will be apparent at the inguinal ring, occasionally descending into the scrotum. It should be established whether or not the swelling is reducible into the abdomen, which is diagnostic of hernia. Hydroceles transil- luminate. A painless mass within the scrotum should raise suspicion of a possible neoplasm.
What is the cause of a hydrocele?
In children, a partially patent processus vaginalis, with fluid trapped between the
layers of the tunica vaginalis is the most common cause.
How is the diagnosis of hydrocele made?
Hydrocele is a clinical diagnosis. On history there may be swelling of the scrotum that may be static in size, or increase with ambulation. Findings on examination consist of a simple cystic structure in the scrotum or related to the spermatic cord, which typically cannot be reduced, and transilluminates.
Is imaging necessary in cases of suspected hydrocele?
Imaging is not generally indicated, although ultrasound should be utilized if there
is a suspicion of an intra-scrotal mass
When is surgery indicated in hydrocele?
Most hydroceles will close spontaneously by two years of age. If a hydrocele per- sists beyond this age, surgery may be offered. There is no evidence that hydroceles cause testicular damage or other morbidity and the natural history of hydroce- les beyond 2 years of age is poorly documented. As such, it is safe to observe hydroceles if surgical correction is not desired. An absolute indication for repair is ipsilateral inguinal hernia.
How are hydroceles repaired?
By ligation of the processus vaginalis (usually through an inguinal incision) and wide opening of the distal sac. Cord hydroceles should be deroofed or excised. Secondary or non-communicating hydroceles may be addressed through a scrotal approach with opening and eversion of the sac.
What is the definition of an acute scrotum?
Acute scrotal pain with or without swelling or erythema.
What is the differential diagnosis for the acute scrotum?
Testicular torsion, torted appendix testis, epididymitis or viral orchitis, pain fol- lowing scrotal or testicular trauma, incarcerated inguinal hernia and some medical conditions such as idiopathic scrotal oedema and rheumatoid purpura.
What should be established during history taking in these patients?
Acuity of pain, history of previous symptoms, history of recent groin trauma, the presence of a current or recent systemic illness and a history of urinary tract infec- tions or conditions that may predispose to these.
How does clinical examination help in determining the cause of acute scrotum?
It can be difficult to differentiate between causes of acute scrotum on clinical examination. Clinicians should assess patients for evidence of systemic illness or fever. A horizontal-lying testicle and absence of cremasteric reflex favours tes- ticular torsion. Relief of pain with elevation of the scrotum favours epididymi- tis. In the early stages, patients with epididymitis may have pain localized to the epididymis.
What additional testing can be employed in the investigation of acute scrotum?
Urinalysis may be useful in identifying patients with epididymitis, although abnor- mal analysis does not exclude torsion, and bland urine does not exclude orchitis.
Doppler ultrasound may exclude some patients with epididymitis, but is opera- tor dependent and the presence of arterial flow may be falsely reassuring in cases of early or intermittent torsion. High-resolution ultrasound may be useful in visu- alizing a twist in the spermatic cord.
Importantly, rapid detorsion improves testicular salvage, and so transfer to the operating room should not be delayed to seek imaging in cases where the index of suspicion for torsion is high.
What is the treatment of testicular torsion?
Early scrotal exploration, detorsion and pexy of the affected testicle, and contralat- eral fixation. Fasciotomy and tunica vaginalis flap may be considered in borderline cases. In cases of frank testicular necrosis, orchiectomy should be considered.
What is the fate of the torted testicle?
Torsion results in impaired blood flow to and ischaemia of the testicle. Overall, the rate of testicular loss following torsion may be as high as 60%, once accounting for early orchiectomy and late atrophy. It is reasonable to counsel families that there is concern for testicular loss if exploration occurs more than 6 hours after onset of pain, and significant concern for loss at 10 hours after onset of pain [2].
What is the management of epididymitis?
In cases of positive urine bacterial culture, children should be treated and inves- tigated as for a UTI. Most cases, however, are self-limiting and no organisms are identified on urine culture.
What is the definition of an undescended testicle?
A testicle that is not present in the scrotum and cannot be brought into the scrotum with manipulation, or does not remain in the scrotum for any length of time after exhaustion of the cremaster.
How can undescended testicles be classified?
They may be palpable or impalpable. Palpable testes may be in the groin in the expected path of descent between the inguinal canal and the scrotum, they may be ectopic, or they may be retractile. Impalpable testes may be intra-abdominal, or absent entirely.
What is a retractile testis?
A testicle that can be manipulated into the scrotum and remains there for a period of time, but that returns to the groin due to an overactive cremasteric reflex. Orchidopexy is not indicated in retractile testes but their position should be moni- tored as they may become undescended.
What investigations should be performed in children with undescended testes?
Imaging is not indicated to confirm testicular position.
Children with features to suggest a difference in sexual differentiation (such as
bilateral impalpable testes, proximal hypospadias, bifid scrotum) should be inves- tigated accordingly.
What is the treatment for undescended testicles?
Orchidopexy is surgical placement of the testicle within the scrotum. This may be performed through a scrotal or inguinal approach in the case of palpable testes, or as a single- or two-stage laparoscopic procedure in the case of abdominal testes.
When should orchidopexy be performed?
Ideally, orchidopexy should be performed between the ages of 6 and 18 months [3].
What are the reasons for performing orchidopexy?
Undescended testicles may result in sub-fertility. Early orchidopexy, prior to 12 months of age, is recommended in order to improve preservation of fertility.
Boys with undescended testes also have increased risk for testicular malig- nancy. There is evidence that pre-pubertal orchidopexy may decrease the risk of malignancy, while also facilitates self-examination.