Screening Excretory Urography in Patients with Cryptorchidism or Hypospadias: A Survey and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Hypospadias and cryptorchidism constitute common problems in urology for which the use of routine screening urography has been challenged recently. To assess better current thinking 233 urologists who devote a significant part of their practice to children were surveyed as to the number of procedures performed as well as to the instances when excretory urography was obtained. Of 163 physicians who responded 70 per cent do not favor routine screening urography in cryptorchid patients, while approximately 50 per cent believe that it is worthwhile in hypospadias. In the cryptorchid responses there was a definite decrease in the percentage of physicians obtaining x-rays as the yearly volume of cases increased (50 per cent with less than 10 cases per year and 18 per cent with greater than 20 cases per year), while this relationship was not maintained for hypospadias. A review of the literature correlates well with this survey in that excretory urography is not necessary in cases of cryptorchidism but its value is still debated in cases of hypospadias.