title: [Epididymal anomalies in cryptorchism and in persistent peritoneo-vaginal duct].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various percentage incidences (36-75%) of the duct system morphologic alterations in cryptorchidism syndrome have been reported in the literature. Etiopathogenic factors, responsible for this syndrome, are yet to be specified, as is their correlation with testicular descent in the scrotum and peritoneal-vaginal duct regression.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective multicentric study we have documented seminal duct anatomy in 566 children, undergoing inguinal or scrotal surgical exploration due to acute scrotal syndrome (group A, "control group"), cryptorchidism (group B), and peritoneal-vaginal duct patency syndromes (group C), for a total of 726 testicles. On the basis of anatomical configurations, explored testicles have been subdivided into three groups: normal testicles (type I), suspension anomalies (type II), obstruction anomalies (type III). Prevalence of the above anatomical configurations in the various groups has been statistically evaluated by the chi 2 test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results have highlighted a significant prevalence (p < or = 0.01) of severe duct system obstructive anomalies (type III) in children with cryptorchidism (group B) and in children with vaginal duct patency (group C). These results can justify the hypothesis of a close correlation between testicle embryologic migration process in the scrotal sac and seminal duct development; this latter seems furthermore correlated with peritoneal duct regression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The drawn conclusion is that duct system morphologic alterations in cryptorchidism, due to their seriousness and incidence, can condition final fertility capability.
authors: Cattedra di Chirurgia Pediatrica, Università degli Studi, Siena. messinam@unisi.it
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Messina
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ferrucci
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Zingaro
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Garzi
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Meucci
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Ilardi
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Rini
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Corciulo
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Marrello
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies