The lost testis: Failure of physical examination and diagnostic laparoscopy to identify inguinal undescended testis.
Children presenting with nonpalpable undescended testes are evaluated with diagnostic laparoscopy. The laparoscopic findings of blind-ending vessels and vas deferens are felt to be diagnostic for 'vanished' testes. We present a case of an overweight male in whom the testis was not palpable in the office or under anesthesia and in whom blind-ending vessels were identified on laparoscopy. Inguinal exploration revealed a normal appearing inguinal testis. Although not advocated as a tool in the evaluation of the child presenting with an undescended testis, inguinal ultrasound may have a role in overweight children in whom the examination may be difficult. Furthermore, we would advocate inguinal exploration in overweight children, given the limitations of laparoscopy in this overweight child.
Ellsworth
Pamela I
PI
Division of Urology, Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 2 Dudley Street, Suite 174, Providence, RI 02905, USA. pamelaellsworth@aol.com
Cheuck
Lanna
L