Sonographic detection of undescended testes in the third trimester.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the sonographic detection rate of fetal undescended testes among a low-risk population during the third trimester.


METHODS
A sonographic evaluation, which included biometric studies and a detailed examination of the fetal genitalia, was performed prospectively on 332 male fetuses of singleton pregnancies between 34 and 40 weeks' gestation. A qualified neonatologist examined the presence of the testes within the scrotum within 3 days after birth.


RESULTS
The scrotum was visible in 294 (89%) of the 332 fetuses who were examined. It was visible in all fetuses evaluated between 34 and 36 weeks' gestation. Nine cases of undescended testes were detected (3%). Of these, the diagnosis of 1 case, examined at 34 weeks' gestation, was revealed after birth to be false-positive. There were no false-negative results.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonographic examination during the late third trimester of pregnancy appears to allow accurate diagnosis of undescended testes prenatally. This early identification will alert the neonatologist of the possibility of cryptorchidism and will permit early postnatal identification and treatment.
Fait
Gideon
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Yaron
Yoval
Y
Shenhar
Daniel
D
Gull
Ilan
I
Har-Toov
Joseph
J
Jaffa
Ariel J
AJ
Wolman
Igal
I
D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000002:abnormalities; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal