title: The lost testis: Failure of physical examination and diagnostic laparoscopy to identify inguinal undescended testis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Pamela I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Ellsworth
authors.forename: Lanna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheuck