Laparoscopic and histologic evaluation of the inguinal vanishing testis. Urology 1998 Nov;52(5):866-9
Date
11/04/1998Pubmed ID
9801116DOI
10.1016/s0090-4295(98)00326-4Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0031740662 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 56 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: Visual inspection of the spermatic cord vessels and vas deferens during laparoscopy now frequently determines further treatment. We set out to explore the implications of atretic spermatic cord vessels and vas deferens entering the inguinal ring, a finding noted on laparoscopic examination in some patients with a nonpalpable testis, and that we refer to as the inguinal vanishing testis.
METHODS: We reviewed our series of 35 patients with nonpalpable testes with regard to the laparoscopic, surgical, and histopathologic findings of the involved gonadal structures.
RESULTS: We noted atretic vessels and vas deferens entering the inguinal ring in 14 patients in this series. All 14 patients underwent open inguinal exploration. Histopathologic findings revealed fibrosis and hemosiderin deposits alone in 13 patients. One specimen had a microscopic focus of residual seminiferous tubules. No specimen contained dysgenetic gonadal tissue.
CONCLUSIONS: We submit that patients with inguinal vanishing testes do not need to undergo inguinal exploration to remove residual testicular tissue. Only rarely will viable seminiferous tubules be found, so the risk of malignant degeneration is remote. The histopathologic findings suggest that the inguinal vanishing testis occurs secondary to a vascular accident in utero or in the neonatal period.
Author List
Grady RW, Mitchell ME, Carr MCAuthor
Michael Ernst Mitchell MD Emeritus Professor in the Urology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
CryptorchidismHumans
Infant
Laparoscopy
Male
Seminiferous Tubules
