Epididymal Anomalies in Cryptorchidism and Hydrocele : Association with Patent Processus Vaginalis

Yoon, Jae Sik; Kim, Kwang Sae

Abstract

PURPOSE: Epididymal anomalies in boys with an undescended testis have been well documented and most undescended testes are associated with patent processus vaginalis. However, the incidence of epididymal anomalies in descended testes has not well known. We performed a prospective study to determine the relationship between epididymal anomalies and patency of processus vaginalis in boys with hydrocele or cryptorchidism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1997 to February 1988, epididymal morphologies and the degrees of patency of processus vaginalis(closed, partially closed and open) were examined in 35 boys with hydrocele(37 testes) and 28 boys with cryptorchidism(29 testes) at the surgeries.
RESULTS
No epididymal anomaly was found in all 3 hydroceles with closed processus vaginalis. Epididymal anomalies were found in 13 of 22 hydroceles with partially closed processus vaginalis and in 9 of 12 hydroceles with open processus vaginalis. All boys with undescended testes had open processus vagnialis and the epididymal anomalies were found in 27 of 29 undescended testes. The incidence of epididymal anomalies was highest in cryptorchid testes with open processus vaginalis and lowest in descended testes with closed processus vaginalis. Furthermore, epididymal anomalies were found to be more severe in association with more cranially located testes.
CONCLUSIONS
The higher incidence of epididymal anomalies were associated with ipsilateral patency of processus vaginalis and testicular position. This finding suggests that the role of the epididymis in testicular descent may not be essential.