Korean J Urol.
1999 May;40(5):617-622.
Pathological Characteristics in Retractile Testis comparing Cryptorchid Testis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Urology, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Pathology, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Urology, Inha University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Pathology, Inha University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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PURPOSE: Although retractile testes are frequently found in the pediatric population, there are controversies in the management of retractile testes. We investigated the necessity of treatment for retractile testes by analyzing their histologic findings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty-one testicular biopsies were performed during orchiopexy from 36 boys(range: 1.3-12.9 years, mean: 5.4 years) with retractile testes(11 unilateral, 50 bilateral) and 115 testicular biopsies from 83 cryptorchid patients(range: 0.6-15.0 years, mean: 3.7 years, 51 unilateral, 64 bilateral). Parameters for both Sertoli cell and germ cell were determined in each group.
RESULTS
The average tubular degeneration phase(TDP) V-VII were 0.23+/-0.18 for retractile testes and 0.22+/-0.17 for cryptorchid testes and were not statistically different. Both the average sertoli cell index(SCI) and mean spermatogonia per tubules(S/T) value were statistically different between retractile and cryptrochid testes with values of 26.81+/-6.75, 23.04+/-5.85(p<0.01) and 2.96+/-1.33, 0.61+/-0.87(p<0.01), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Although S/T value of retractile testes was higher than that of cryptorchid testes, Sertoli cell degenerative patterns were similar. These findings might indicate that retractile testis needs treatment like cryptorchid testis does. However, further investigation is warranted to elucidate whether these changes are normal variations since changes are observed in both Sertoli & germ cells in normal boys as they are aging.
