Undescended Testis
Eko Indra Pradono
DEFINITION
• Undescended testis or cryptorchidism is the absence of one or both testes in
normal scrotal position and during initial clinical evaluation may refer to
palpable or nonpalpable testes, which are either cryptorchid or absent.
Before descent End of descent
Epidemiology
• Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital anomalies, occurring
in 1% to 4% of full-term and 1% to 45% of preterm newborn boys
(Sijstermans et al, 2008).
• Factors that predispose to cryptorchidism include prematurity, low birth
weight, small size for gestational age, twinning, and maternal exposure to
estrogen during the first trimester.
Aetiology and pathophysiology
• The specific cause of isolated cryptorchidism is unknown in most cases, but
indirect evidence suggests that the disease is heterogeneous and most likely
the result of multiple genetic and environmental risk factors.
• It has been postulated that cryptorchidism may be a part of the so-called
testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS), which is a developmental disorder of
the gonads caused by environmental and/or genetic influences early in
pregnancy
The degeneration of
germ cells in
maldescended testes is
apparent after the first
year of life and varies,
depending on the
position of the testis.
During the second year,
the number of germ
cells declines
Early treatment is therefore
recommended (after the age of
six months surgery should be
performed within the subsequent
year with age eighteen months
the latest) to conserve
spermatogenesis and hormone
production, as well as to decrease
the risk for tumours
DIAGNOSIS
• To best determine testicular position, boys should be examined in the supine
and, if possible, upright cross-legged and standing positions
• testicular palpability, position, mobility, size, and possible associated findings
such as hernia, hydrocele, penile size, and urethral meatus position must
documented
• The majority (75% to 80%) of undescended testes are palpable and 60% to
70% are unilateral; involvement of the right side is more common overall but
less frequent in series of nonpalpable testes
Diagnosis of a vanishing testis requires documentation of blindending
spermatic vessels in the abdomen, inguinal canal, or scrotum
Imaging is not indicated for diagnosis of the nonpalpable testis, because it has
limited accuracy and does not obviate the need for definitive surgical
intervention
PALPABLE NON PALPABLE
Classification of undescended testes
Algorithm for the management of
unilateral non-palpable undescended
testis
Scrotal asymmetry in a boy with
unilateral left cryptorchidism
Positions of the ectopic testis
Algorithm for management of the
undescended testis
MANAGEMENT
Hormonal
treatment
Surgical
treatment
Hormonal treatment
• Hormonal therapy has been used for a variety of indications in patients with
cryptorchidism, including differentiation of retractile from true undescended
testes, stimulation of testicular descent or germ cell maturation, and as an
adjunct to abdominal orchidopexy
• Hormone therapy is not currently recommended, given the lack of rigorous
data supporting its efficacy
• Human chorionic gonadotropin or GnRH is not recommended for the
treatment of cryptorchidism in adulthood
Surgical treatment
Inguinal Orchidopexy
Trans-Scrotal Orchidopexy
Surgical Approach to the Abdominal Testis
• Once an abdominal testis has been identified, the surgeon must decide
whether to proceed with an open or laparoscopic, one- or two-stage
orchidopexy with possible spermatic vessel transection. Orchiectomy is
appropriate for patients with testes that are poorly viable and/or at higher
risk for tumor, which may include testes in postpubertal patients or very
small or dysgenetic testes in postpubertal patients, and is in our opinion best
performed laparoscopically
Open
Transabdominal
Orchidopexy
Laparoscopic
Orchidopexy and
Fowler-Stephens
Orchidopexy
Results of Laparoscopic Orchidopexy
Despite their limitations, the available data seem to suggest that
primary orchidopexy without transection of the spermatic vessels is
preferable whenever possible
• In adolescence removal of intra-abdominal testis (with a normal contralateral testis) can be
recommended, because of the theoretical risk of later malignancy.
• In adulthood, a palpable undescended testis should not be removed because it still produces
testosterone.
• Vascular damage is the most severe complication of orchidopexy and can cause testicular atrophy
in 1-2% of cases. In men with non-palpable testes, the post-operative atrophy rate was 12% in
those cases with long vascular pedicles that enabled scrotal positioning. Post-operative atrophy in
staged orchidopexy has been reported in up to 40% of patients.
• At the time of orchidopexy, performed in adulthood, testicular biopsy for detection of ITGCNU
is recommended. At the time of orchiectomy in the treatment of germ cell tumours biopsy of
the contralateral testis should be offered to patients at high risk for ITGCNU
Recommendation EAU
PROGNOSIS
• Sperm counts are reduced in at least 25% of formerly unilateral and the
majority of formerly bilateral cryptorchid men, but paternity rates in the
unilateral group are similar to those in control men.
• Ad spermatogonia counts may predict fertility potential in males with
cryptorchidism.
• TGCT risk is two to five times higher in boys with cryptorchidism, especially
after pubertal orchidopexy
Physicians should educate patients and their
families about the risks of infertility and TGCT in
cryptorchidism and should provide counsel about
the potential benefits of testicular self-
examination.
Reference
• Hadziselimovic F, Kolon T.F, Yavetz, Wilkerson M.. EAU Guidelines 2019
• Jennifer A. Hagerty Julia Spencer Barthold. Chapter 148 : Etiology,
Diagnosis, and Management of the Undescended Testis. Campbell-walsh
Urology. 11 ed. Philadhelpia : Elsevier, Inc ; 2016
Undescended Testis (UDT)

Undescended Testis (UDT)

  • 1.
  • 2.
    DEFINITION • Undescended testisor cryptorchidism is the absence of one or both testes in normal scrotal position and during initial clinical evaluation may refer to palpable or nonpalpable testes, which are either cryptorchid or absent.
  • 4.
  • 5.
    Epidemiology • Cryptorchidism isone of the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 1% to 4% of full-term and 1% to 45% of preterm newborn boys (Sijstermans et al, 2008). • Factors that predispose to cryptorchidism include prematurity, low birth weight, small size for gestational age, twinning, and maternal exposure to estrogen during the first trimester.
  • 6.
    Aetiology and pathophysiology •The specific cause of isolated cryptorchidism is unknown in most cases, but indirect evidence suggests that the disease is heterogeneous and most likely the result of multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. • It has been postulated that cryptorchidism may be a part of the so-called testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS), which is a developmental disorder of the gonads caused by environmental and/or genetic influences early in pregnancy
  • 7.
    The degeneration of germcells in maldescended testes is apparent after the first year of life and varies, depending on the position of the testis. During the second year, the number of germ cells declines Early treatment is therefore recommended (after the age of six months surgery should be performed within the subsequent year with age eighteen months the latest) to conserve spermatogenesis and hormone production, as well as to decrease the risk for tumours
  • 8.
    DIAGNOSIS • To bestdetermine testicular position, boys should be examined in the supine and, if possible, upright cross-legged and standing positions • testicular palpability, position, mobility, size, and possible associated findings such as hernia, hydrocele, penile size, and urethral meatus position must documented • The majority (75% to 80%) of undescended testes are palpable and 60% to 70% are unilateral; involvement of the right side is more common overall but less frequent in series of nonpalpable testes
  • 9.
    Diagnosis of avanishing testis requires documentation of blindending spermatic vessels in the abdomen, inguinal canal, or scrotum Imaging is not indicated for diagnosis of the nonpalpable testis, because it has limited accuracy and does not obviate the need for definitive surgical intervention PALPABLE NON PALPABLE
  • 10.
  • 11.
    Algorithm for themanagement of unilateral non-palpable undescended testis
  • 12.
    Scrotal asymmetry ina boy with unilateral left cryptorchidism Positions of the ectopic testis
  • 13.
    Algorithm for managementof the undescended testis
  • 14.
  • 15.
    Hormonal treatment • Hormonaltherapy has been used for a variety of indications in patients with cryptorchidism, including differentiation of retractile from true undescended testes, stimulation of testicular descent or germ cell maturation, and as an adjunct to abdominal orchidopexy • Hormone therapy is not currently recommended, given the lack of rigorous data supporting its efficacy • Human chorionic gonadotropin or GnRH is not recommended for the treatment of cryptorchidism in adulthood
  • 16.
  • 17.
  • 18.
  • 19.
    Surgical Approach tothe Abdominal Testis • Once an abdominal testis has been identified, the surgeon must decide whether to proceed with an open or laparoscopic, one- or two-stage orchidopexy with possible spermatic vessel transection. Orchiectomy is appropriate for patients with testes that are poorly viable and/or at higher risk for tumor, which may include testes in postpubertal patients or very small or dysgenetic testes in postpubertal patients, and is in our opinion best performed laparoscopically
  • 20.
  • 21.
  • 22.
    Despite their limitations,the available data seem to suggest that primary orchidopexy without transection of the spermatic vessels is preferable whenever possible
  • 23.
    • In adolescenceremoval of intra-abdominal testis (with a normal contralateral testis) can be recommended, because of the theoretical risk of later malignancy. • In adulthood, a palpable undescended testis should not be removed because it still produces testosterone. • Vascular damage is the most severe complication of orchidopexy and can cause testicular atrophy in 1-2% of cases. In men with non-palpable testes, the post-operative atrophy rate was 12% in those cases with long vascular pedicles that enabled scrotal positioning. Post-operative atrophy in staged orchidopexy has been reported in up to 40% of patients. • At the time of orchidopexy, performed in adulthood, testicular biopsy for detection of ITGCNU is recommended. At the time of orchiectomy in the treatment of germ cell tumours biopsy of the contralateral testis should be offered to patients at high risk for ITGCNU
  • 24.
  • 26.
    PROGNOSIS • Sperm countsare reduced in at least 25% of formerly unilateral and the majority of formerly bilateral cryptorchid men, but paternity rates in the unilateral group are similar to those in control men. • Ad spermatogonia counts may predict fertility potential in males with cryptorchidism. • TGCT risk is two to five times higher in boys with cryptorchidism, especially after pubertal orchidopexy
  • 27.
    Physicians should educatepatients and their families about the risks of infertility and TGCT in cryptorchidism and should provide counsel about the potential benefits of testicular self- examination.
  • 28.
    Reference • Hadziselimovic F,Kolon T.F, Yavetz, Wilkerson M.. EAU Guidelines 2019 • Jennifer A. Hagerty Julia Spencer Barthold. Chapter 148 : Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management of the Undescended Testis. Campbell-walsh Urology. 11 ed. Philadhelpia : Elsevier, Inc ; 2016