Intra-abdominal Testes Research Articles

Appendix viriliformis: an intra-abdominal testis and an appendicoileal fistula

When a patient is taken to theatre for a laparotomy, surprises can still be found despite modern investigative techniques. We present the case of two rare abdominal pathologies (an appendicoileal fistula and an intra-abdominal testis adherent to the vermiform appendix) being found simultaneously and review the literature on these topics.

English

Testicular feminization syndrome or androgen insensitivity syndrome is a rare inherited form of male pseudohermaphroditism that occurs in phenotypically normal woman with male karyotype (XY), with an incidence of 1:20,000-64,000 male births. The individual with complete form of this syndrome have female external genitalia while those with partial form have variable ambiguity of genitalia. The undescended testis may go into malignant transformation. The androgen insensitivity syndrome with malignant testicular disorder is very rare. A twenty-eight year old female was admitted to the hospital with the complaint of primary amenorrhea. Clinical and laboratory investigation revealed testicular feminization syndrome with seminoma developed from intraabdominal undescended testis. Primary removal of the mass and postoperative chemotherapy was treatment of choice for the patient.

Protective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Experimentally Undescended Testis

We evaluated the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine for testicular damage induced by undescended testes in rats. Flutamide was injected in the abdomen of pregnant rats daily from days 14 to 20 of gestation. Male offspring with cryptorchidism were randomly divided into 2 groups. Healthy male rats without undescended testes comprised the control group (group 1). Group 2 (undescended testes without N-acetylcysteine) received no treatment. Group 3 (undescended testes plus N-acetylcysteine) received intraperitoneal N-acetylcysteine daily. At 70 days after experiment initiation the testes were removed for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Mean malonyl dialdehyde values were lowest in group 1 and highest in group 2. In group 3 malonyl dialdehyde levels were significantly lower than in group 2 (p <0.001). Conversely, mean glutathione peroxidase was highest in group 1 and lowest in group 2. Glutathione peroxidase levels in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 (p <0.001). Histopathological differences between groups 1 and 3 in the modified Johnsen score were not significant (p = 0.041). However, the differences between these groups and group 2 were significant (p <0.001). The median apoptotic cell count did not differ between groups 1 and 3 but it was significantly higher in group 2 than in the other groups (p = 0.03 and <0.001, respectively). N-acetylcysteine may alleviate undescended testis induced damage to testes through its antioxidant effects. The underlying mechanism of these effects merits further investigation. Long-term studies are also needed as well as comparative animal and human studies.

The intra-abdominal testis: lessons from the past, and ideas for the future

The intra-abdominal testis (IAT) has been always an enigma for both diagnosis and treatment. Imaging techniques are known for low sensitivity for localizing the IAT. It has been universally accepted that the gold standard for localizing the IAT is diagnostic laparoscopy. Orchiopexy techniques for IAT are complicated and attended with a higher rate of failure and complication than those for the palpable testis. For the low-lying abdominal testis, a one-stage procedure without interruption of the vessels has a high success rate. The Prentiss maneuver bridges the borders of normal pathway to gain a straighter course to the scrotum. The interruption of the main vascular supply of the testis, depending on collateral circulation, has been used for many years but with questionable effects on the microscopic delicate structure of the testis. Microvascular autotransplantation was intended to avoid this effect, but it is technically demanding and requires special expertise. The principle of traction has been used in the past but was abandoned due to high rate of atrophy. Recently, traction has been revisited with a new approach with very encouraging results. The key to success in any technique for orchiopexy is the complete absence of tension.

Testicular outcome following laparoscopic second stage Fowler–Stephens orchidopexy

ObjectiveTo assess outcome after laparoscopic second-stage Fowler–Stephens orchidopexy (L2ndFSO). Patients and methodsRetrospective review of 94 children (aged 0.75–16 years, median 2.75 years), who underwent L2ndFSO for 113 intra-abdominal testes between January 2000 and May 2009: 75 unilateral, 19 bilateral (11 synchronous; 8 metachronous). Follow-up (range 3 months–10.9 years, median 2.1 years) was available for 88 children (102 testes: 71 unilateral, 31 bilateral). ResultsTesticular atrophy occurred in 9 out of 102 (8.8%), including 8 out of 71 (11.3%) unilateral and 1 out of 31 (3.2%) bilateral intra-abdominal testes (multivariate analysis: p = 0.59). Testicular ascent ensued in 9 out of 102 (8.8%), comprising four (5.6%) unilateral and five (16.1%) bilateral testicles (multivariate analysis: p = 0.11). Of the 18 bilateral testes brought to the scrotum synchronously none atrophied and four (22.2%) ascended, compared to one (7.7%) atrophy and one (7.7%) ascent among the 13 testes brought to the scrotum on separate occasions (Fisher exact test: p = 0.42 and p = 0.37, respectively). Mobilization of the testis through the conjoint tendon tended towards less ascent (multivariate analysis p = 0.08) but similar atrophy (p = 0.56) compared to mobilization through the deep-ring/inguinal canal. Logistical regression analysis identified no other patient or surgical factors influencing outcome. ConclusionsThis is the largest series of L2ndFSO to date. A successful outcome is recorded in 85 out of 102 (83.3%) testicles. Atrophy occurred in 8.8% and ascent in 8.8%.

Ultrasonography is unnecessary and misleading in evaluating boys with a nonpalpable testis and can be a cause of a legal process

A 2-year-old boy came to our attention for a left non-palpable testis (NPT). The parents asked us to perform a laparoscopy to pull down a left intrabdominal testis (IAT), identified ultrasonographically before surgery. The ultrasonography (US) performed in another institution showed a right intrascrotal testis of normal size and a left IAT of 0.85 × 0.78 mm(2) located near the internal inguinal ring. We performed a laparoscopy that showed a blind-ending vas deferens and blind-ending inner spermatic vessels as in case of vanishing testis and a large lymphnode located near the internal inguinal ring that was closed. Parents were disappointed after laparoscopic diagnosis because the US performed before surgery showed them an IAT; for this reason they undertook a legal challenge against the pediatrician and the radiologist who had given them false information. In conclusion, we believe that in cases of NPT, laparoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis and US is unnecessary and misleading.

This Month in Pediatric Urology

No AccessJournal of UrologyThis Month in Pediatric Urology1 Oct 2013This Month in Pediatric Urology Michael L. Ritchey Michael L. RitcheyMichael L. Ritchey More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2013.07.008AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail "This Month in Pediatric Urology." The Journal of Urology, 190(4), pp. 1153–1154 References 1 : Two-step Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testes: a 28-year single institution experience. J Urol2013; 190: 1371. Link, Google Scholar 2 : Transcutaneous parasacral electrical neural stimulation in children with primary monosymptomatic enuresis: a prospective randomized clinical trial. J Urol2013; 190: 1359. Google Scholar 3 : National trends in augmentation cystoplasty in the 2000s and factors associated with patient outcomes. J Urol2013; 190: 1352. Link, Google Scholar 4 : Effective and organ specific radiation doses from videourodynamics in children. J Urol2013; 190: 1364. Link, Google Scholar © 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 190Issue 4October 2013Page: 1153-1154 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Michael L. Ritchey More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Extrarenal testicular Wilms’ tumor in a 3-year-old child

We report an extremely rare case of extrarenal testicular Wilms' tumor in a 3-year-old boy with intrabdominal undescended left testis. The patient was admitted because of pain and vomiting, with evidence of a huge abdominal mass. At surgery a large tumor arising from the intrabdominal testis was found. Histology showed the classical triphasic Wilms' tumor elements: epithelial, mesenchymal and blastemal areas. Extrarenal Wilms' tumors account for only 3% of all Wilms' tumors and just -100 cases have been reported in literature. Testicular origin is anecdotic. We present histomorphological, histogenetic, clinical, diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic features of this rare tumor.

Complete testicular epididymal dissociation in the abdominal cryptorchid testis

AimTo document the incidence of complete testicular epididymal dissociation (CTED) in the cryptorchid testis and evaluate its operative outcome. MethodsThe presence of CTED was noted prospectively in cases of undescended testis and the operative findings were studied. ResultsCTED was encountered in 11 testes in 10 boys out of 29 intra-abdominal testes among the 142 undescended testes (8%) operated. Ages of patients varied from 18 months–14 years (median 4.5 years). All 11 testes were intra-abdominal. In 5 out of 11 testes, the dissociation was associated with a wide separation of the epididymis and testis. The dissociated epididymis was in the scrotum attached to the gubernaculum while the testis was intra-abdominal. One case had bilateral CTED. Successful subdartos orchidopexy was done for 8 testes, 6 after Prentiss maneuver. Two gonads were fixed just below the pubic tubercle. Orchiectomy was done in one case with a small sized testis with a short gonadal vessel. ConclusionCTED was encountered in 8% of cases of cryptorchidism. A palpable nubbin-like tissue in the scrotal sac in the presence of CTED may suggest a descended dissociated epididymis with an intra-abdominal testis. Successful subdartos orchidopexy was possible in 73% of testes with CTED.

The Regulation of Testicular Descent and the Effects of Cryptorchidism

The first half of this review examines the boundary between endocrinology and embryonic development, with the aim of highlighting the way hormones and signaling systems regulate the complex morphological changes to enable the intra-abdominal fetal testes to reach the scrotum. The genitoinguinal ligament, or gubernaculum, first enlarges to hold the testis near the groin, and then it develops limb-bud-like properties and migrates across the pubic region to reach the scrotum. Recent advances show key roles for insulin-like hormone 3 in the first step, with androgen and the genitofemoral nerve involved in the second step. The mammary line may also be involved in initiating the migration. The key events in early postnatal germ cell development are then reviewed because there is mounting evidence for this to be crucial in preventing infertility and malignancy later in life. We review the recent advances in what is known about the etiology of cryptorchidism and summarize the syndromes where a specific molecular cause has been found. Finally, we cover the recent literature on timing of surgery, the issues around acquired cryptorchidism, and the limited role of hormone therapy. We conclude with some observations about the differences between animal models and baby boys with cryptorchidism.

Laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy versus laparoscopic two-stage fowler stephens orchiopexy for nonpalpable testes: Comparative study

Background/Purpose:To assess the outcome of the primary laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy (LAO) and the laparoscopic two-stage Fowler Stephens orchiopexy (FSO) for managing patients with nonpalpable testis in terms of safety, feasibility and efficacy.Materials and Methods:This study included 94 patients (110 nonpalpable testes) who underwent laparoscopy at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh between July 1998 and June 2012. Patients were evaluated postoperatively to check the location and size of testes and to exclude any other complications.Results:Mean age at presentation was 24+/−19 months (9-96 months). Orchiectomy was done for 5 atrophic testes. 36 open orchiopexy was done for 29 canalicular testes and 7 peeping testes. 35 LAO were done for 1 canalicular testis, 5 peeping testes, 16 low intraabdominal testes and 13 high intraabdominal testes. 34 FSO were done for 23 high intraabdominal testes, 9 low intraabdominal testes and 2 peeping testes. Median follow up was 12 months (1-84 months) and 6 patients were lost to follow up. The overall success rates for LAO and FSO were 88% and 63%, respectively. Overall testicular atrophy rates were 3% and 30% for LAO and FSO, respectively (OR 0.08 [95% CI, 0.01-0.69], P = 0.006). For high intraabdominal testes, the atrophy rates were 3% and 20% for LAO and FSO, respectively (OR 0.14 [95% CI, 0.02-1.21, P = 0.049).Testicular displacement rates were 9% and 7% for LAO and FSO, respectively (OR 1.5, 95% CI, 0.24-9.59, P = 0.514).Conclusions:Laparoscopy provides a safe and accurate modality for diagnosing and managing patients with nonpalpable testes. LAO appears to be feasible and effective in management of high intraabdominal testes. Further well-conducted comparative studies are needed.

Laparoscopic Orchidopexy without Division of Spermatic Vessels using a Neoinguinal Canal Approach: A Single Center Experience

Introduction: About 1 to 2% of boys at age of 1 year have an undescended testis (UDT); almost 20% of UDT are nonpalpable. Several surgical procedures have been described but there are no formal guidelines for the management of boys with nonpalpable testis. We report our experience with laparoscopic orchiopexy performed without dividing the spermatic vessels in this case series over a period of 4 years stating that the Fowler-Stephens technique is no longer indicated for the treatment of the intra-abdominal testis. Materials and methods: Over a period of 7 years from 2005 to 2012, we carried out diagnostic laparoscopy on 50 nonpalpable intra-abdominal testis in 45 boys followed by laparoscopic orchiopexy without sectioning the spermatic vessels even in cases where testis was higher up (30 cases). The technique consisted in sectioning the gubernaculum, opening the peritoneum laterally to the spermatic vessels, and mobilizing the testicular vessels and the vas deferens in a retroperitoneal position for 8 to 10 cm. The testis was then brought down into the scrotum through a neo-inguinal ring created just lateral to medial umbilical ligament. Results: Out of 45 cases with 50 undescended testis, 30 testes were abdominal, away from the internal ring out of which we were able to bring 28 testis in the scrotum without dividing the spermatic vessels, using a neo-inguinal ring. The other two patients had to undergo orchidectomy because of atretic testis. In the remaining 20 cases, the testis was at the inguinal ring or close to it and mobilized easily through the neo-inguinal ring to scrotum. The mean follow-up period has been 14 months (6 months to 2 years) and all the testes were found to be in scrotum with no atrophy. Conclusion: On the basis of our experience, we believe that laparoscopic orchiopexy without division of the spermatic vessels should be the treatment of choice in the management of nonpalpable testes because it does not compromise the normal testicular vascularization. Creation of neo-inguinal canal lateral to the medial umbilical ligament has the advantage of gaining more length on the vessels and vas to bring the testis to scrotum and hence Fowler-Stephens procedure is no longer routinely indicated in management of high abdominal testis.

Polyorchism in association with an undescended testis and testicular atrophy: Report of a unique case and review of the literature

Polyorchism appears a rare anomaly characterized by the presence of one or more supernumerary testes with approximately 150 histologically confirmed cases in the published literature. The approach to management has changed over time, with improvements in imaging techniques allowing surveillance to replace surgical excision or exploration and biopsy. We present the case of a child with apparent undescended testis found to have an intraabdominal testis and scrotal testicular remnant at operation. We discuss the implications of this finding in the management of supernumerary testes.

Laparoscopic Management for Non-Palpable Testis

Purpose: To present our experience with laparoscopic management of the non-palpable undescended testis. Patients and Methods: Between Nov. 2010 and Oct. 2012, 47 non-palpable testes in 41 patients were evaluated prospectively by laparoscopy. The age of the patients at the time of surgery varied from 1 to 9 years with a mean age of 2.85 years. Testicular viability and location were evaluated by physical examination and Doppler ultrasonography after 1 and 3 months. Results: Out of 49 testicular units, 47 (95.9%) were successfully treated by laparoscopic orchiopexy. 45 testicular units (91.8%) were treated by one-stage laparoscopic orchiopexy, 2 (4.1%) were treated by two-stage laparoscopic orchiopexy and 2 (4.1%) diagnosed as vanishing testis with detection of blind end spermatic vessels and vas deferens during laparoscopy. Physical examination and Doppler study demonstrated that 46 of 47 testes (97.9%) were viable and 45 of 47 (95.7%) were located in the lower scrotum and 2 of 47 (4.3%) in the upper scrotum at the end of follow-up. Conclusion: The laparoscopy is a reliable technique for diagnosis and treatment of the non-palpable intra-abdominal testis with high success and survival rates of the testes.

Predictive factors for successful vessel-intact laparoscopic orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testes

ObjectiveTo identify the predictive factors for successful vessel-intact laparoscopic orchiopexy (VILO) for nonpalpable intra-abdominal testes (NPIT). Materials and methods25 boys with 28 NPITs within 2 cm of the internal ring underwent VILO. They were divided into two groups based upon outcome, for statistical comparison. Group A (successful VILO): patients with testes pexed in scrotum during surgery, and maintained viability and scrotal position of testes at 3-month & 6-month postoperative follow up. Group B: failed VILO. ResultsIntrascrotal fixation at VILO was achievable for 17/28 NPITs. Postoperative follow up and final outcome data were available for 25/28 NPITs, of which 14 were successful (A) while 11 had failed VILO (B). The mean age of patients in group A differed significantly from that of patients in group B (4.16 years versus 6.64 years; p = 0.035). The mean testis-to-internal ring distance was 0.50 cm for group A and 1.05 cm for group B, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.141). There was statistically a highly significant difference (p = 0.002) with respect to the mean internal ring-to-midscrotum distances in groups A and B: 5.56 cm and 7.05 cm, respectively. A scatter-plot of age or height against internal ring-to-midscrotum distance showed a fairly linear relationship. ConclusionsAge or height of the patient at surgery is an independent factor predicting the success of VILO for intra-abdominal testis. The internal ring-to-midscrotum distance increases with age/height, resulting in increased testis-to-midscrotum distance and higher failure rate of VILO in older children.

Is surgical exploration necessary in bilateral anorchia?

ObjectiveTo review the current management of boys with bilateral anorchia and assess whether surgical exploration is necessary when endocrine investigation indicates absent testicular function. Patients and methodsThe medical records of 11 boys being managed for bilateral anorchia were reviewed in relation to clinical presentation, pituitary-gonadal function, surgical and histological findings. ResultsAll boys had absence of testicular function based on undetectable levels of serum anti-Müllerian hormone, elevated basal or peak follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone levels and no testosterone response to human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation. All boys underwent abdominal exploration, ten of whom showed no macroscopic signs of testis tissue, confirmed histologically in seven. Histology was not available in the remaining three boys. Abnormally small intra-abdominal testes were found bilaterally in one boy. These were sited in the scrotum at orchidopexy but had subsequently atrophied. Endocrine tests confirmed absent testicular function. ConclusionBased on the high degree of concordance between the surgical and histological findings and the results of the endocrine tests, it is suggested that surgery is unnecessary in bilateral anorchia when endocrine tests confirm the absence of functioning testicular tissue.

Feasibility and safety of monopolar diathermy as an alternative to clip ligation in laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy

PurposeThe aims of the study were to study the effect of Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy (FSO) on testicular histology and to assess the feasibility of using monopolar diathermy as an alternative to clip ligation during laparoscopic FSO. Patients and MethodsThe study included 20 patients with 20 intraabdominal testes and short vessels managed by laparoscopic-staged FSO. Biopsies were taken from intraabdominal testes during the first and second stages of the procedure for histologic comparison. The patients in the study were divided into 2 groups according to the method of dividing the testicular vessels in stage 1. The first 13 patients (group A) were managed by clip ligation of the vessels, whereas monopolar diathermy was used in the following 7 patients (group B). ResultsBiopsy findings at stage 2 revealed an overall reduction in both the total number of germ cells per tubule and mean diameter of seminiferous tubules, whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the results in groups A and B. ConclusionThe seminiferous cells can withstand (survive) dividing the main blood supply of the testis during FSO. The monopolar diathermy can be used as an alternative to clipping during laparoscopic procedures, having the advantages of lower expenses and using smaller instruments.

Boys with Undescended Testes: Endocrine, Volumetric and Morphometric Studies on Testicular Function before and after Orchidopexy at Nine Months or Three Years of Age

A randomized controlled study was conducted comparing the outcome of surgery for congenital cryptorchidism at 9 months or 3 yr of age. The aim of the study was to investigate whether surgery at 9 months is more beneficial than at 3 yr and to identify early endocrine markers of importance for testicular development. A total of 213 biopsies were taken at orchidopexy, and the number of germ and Sertoli cells per 100 seminiferous cord cross-sections and the surface area of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue were analyzed. Inhibin B, FSH, LH, and testosterone were determined. Testicular volume was assessed by ultrasonography and by a ruler. The number of germ and Sertoli cells and testicular volume at 9 months were significantly larger than at 3 yr. The intraabdominal testes showed the largest germ cell depletion at 3 yr. At both ages, testicular volume correlated to the number of germ and Sertoli cells. None of the hormones measured during the first 6 months of life (LH, FSH, testosterone, and inhibin B) could predict the number of germ or Sertoli cells at either 9 or 36 months of age, nor could hormone levels predict whether spontaneous descent would occur or not. Morphometric and volumetric data show that orchidopexy at 9 months is more beneficial for testicular development than an operation at 3 yr of age. Testicular volume was furthermore shown to reflect germ cell numbers in early childhood, whereas endocrine parameters could not predict cellular structure of the testis or its spontaneous descent.

Sirenomelia associada a defeitos congênitos raros: relato de três casos

Sirenomelia, an extremely rare congenital defect, is defined as a limb abnormality in which the normally paired lower limbs are replaced by a single midline limb. It is commonly associated with varied genitourinary anomalies. We report three cases of sirenomelia including x-ray documentation of the lower limb. Other associated aspects, whose diagnoses were established exclusively through autopsy, included bilateral renal, ureteral and bladder agenesis, rectal atresia, imperforate anus, intra-abdominal testis, absence of external genitalia and other rare congenital abnormalities.

Risk of Hernia Occurrence Where Division of an Indirect Inguinal Sac Without Ligation Is Undertaken

We sought to ascertain the risk of inguinal hernia occurrence when division of the processus vaginalis is undertaken without ligation, in the context of laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy. A cohort of patients with intra-abdominal testes subjected to a two-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure was reviewed. Analysis of a 68-month period between November 2005 and August 2011 was performed. A comprehensive search of the literature was undertaken, and these data were compared with previously published studies of patients undergoing orchidopexy or herniotomy where the peritoneal defect was not closed. The procedure was undertaken as previously described, with a conventional first stage using a three-port technique. No attempt was made to approximate the peritoneal margins of the processus vaginalis/hernia or close the internal ring at the second stage. In our own experience 17 patients with undescended testes (2 with bilateral cases) underwent laparoscopically assisted, gubernaculum-sparing, Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy. Median age at first operation was 1.86 years (range, 1-9 years). All 17 patients had successful surgery with all 19 testes palpable within the scrotum at postoperative assessment at 3 and 6 months. No direct, indirect, or incisional hernias were noted at a mean follow-up of 2.7 years (standard deviation 1.71). Our experience and reports in the literature do support simple division of the indirect hernia sac as a tenable alternative to ligation. The result of this limited review would support a prospective randomized trial comparing ligation with simple division of hernia sacs.