Clinical Observation on lntrascrotally Impalpable Testis

Choi, Joon Ho; Kim, Young Kyoon

Abstract

A clinical observation was made on 177 cases of intrascrotally impalpable testis seen in the Department of Urology, Seoul National University Hospital during the period from January. 1979. The following results were obtained: 1. Only 53 cases (29.9%) visited hospital in the preschool age and 165 cases(93.2%) before the age of 25. 2. ll4 cases (64.4%) had unilateral involvement and right site was more frequently affected. Bilaterality was noted in 63 cases (35.6%). 3. 237 testes were surgically explored and hernial sac was found in l91 explorations (80.6%). 4. Among 237 explorations, 4 cases were confirmed as monorchism and inguinal canal was the most frequent site of testicular retention (78.5%). 5. Chromosome study was done on 7 cases and all cases yielded 46 XY, cytogenetically normal male. 6. Semen analysis was performed on 20 postpuberal cases and all 13 cases of bilateral intrascrotally impalpable testis revealed azoospermia. In 7 cases of unilateral intrascrotally impalpable testis 3 cases were within normal limits and 4 cases showed oligospermia. 7. Surgical specimens were obtained from 29 cases and l case turned out to be seminoma. Pathologic findings of 28 cases excluding seminoma were evaluated on the basis of basement membrane thickening, peritubular fibrosis, Leydig cell hyperplasia and spermatogenic activity. 8. Treatment consisted of pre-or post-operative HCG injection in the dosage of 2,500 to l0,000 IU on 57 prepubeta1 or puberal cases and 217 orchiectomies (5.8%) and 2l7 orchiopexies (90.4%).