Comparison of ultrasonographic and laparoscopic findings in adult nonpalpable testes cases.
OBJECTIVE
There is a small number of studies in adult nonpalpable testes cases, and there is no published paper on the diagnostic value of their ultrasonographic examination. In this prospective study, we compared the sonographic and laparoscopic findings in adult cases with nonpalpable testes to assess the necessity and the profits of ultrasound.


METHODS
50 cases, 38 unilateral and 12 bilateral, with nonpalpable testes were investigated. Patients' ages ranged from 20 to 25 years with a mean of 22. Sonographic examinations were performed with a high-resolution ultrasonography device.


RESULTS
Laparoscopic evaluation of the patients with unilateral nonpalpable testis yielded 27 testes out of a total 38. In one case, the testis was detected in the inguinal canal with inguinal exploration. The remaining 10 cases were regarded as vanishing testes. All 24 testes of 12 patients with bilateral nonpalpable testes were found. The pre-laparoscopic ultrasonographic examination detected 20 of 24 testes in bilateral cases (83% sensitivity), and 17 of 26 testes in unilateral cases (65% sensitivity).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that ultrasonography does not exclude the necessity for laparoscopy, and it is not superior to physical examination in detection of the inguinal atrophic testes or testicular nubbin.
Pekkafali
Mehmet Zekai
MZ
Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medicine Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Sahin
Coskun
C
Ilbey
Yusuf Ozlem
YO
Albayrak
Selami
S
Yildirim
Sukru
S
Basekim
Cihat Cinar
CC
D000328:Adult; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000379:methods; D010173:Palpation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods