Lost and found testes: the importance of the hCG stimulation test and other testicular markers to confirm a surgical declaration of anorchia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In patients with impalpable testes,laparoscopy or open surgery is considered conclusive in establishing the absence of testicular tissue.

METHODS:

Retrospective chart review.

RESULTS:

Over a 22-year period, 4 out of 82 patients with a diagnosis of bilateral anorchia by laparoscopy or laparotomy had persistent testicular tissue suggested by endocrine evaluations. The clue to the presence of testicular tissue was: (1) a pubertal rise in plasma testosterone (2 patients); (2) the presence of possible Müllerian structures and of a detectable plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (1 patient), and (3) the fact that one of the gonads had not been seen at surgery (1 patient who still had a testosterone response to hCG postoperatively). Testes were localized by venography (3 patients) and laparotomy (1 patient).

CONCLUSION:

A surgical diagnosis of bilateral anorchia needs to be confirmed by hCG stimulation, gonadotropin levels, or other markers of testicular function.

• Authors: Rebecca McEachern, Anne-Marie Houle, Laurent Garel, Guy Van Vliet
• Journal: Hormone research (Horm Res) Vol. 62 Issue 3 Pg. 124-8 ( 2004) ISSN: 0301-0163 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 15286448 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Chorionic Gonadotropin
• Glycoproteins
• Testicular Hormones
• Testosterone
• Anti-Mullerian Hormone

Topics

• Anti-Mullerian Hormone
• Biomarkers
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chorionic Gonadotropin
• Cryptorchidism (blood, diagnosis, surgery)
• Genitalia, Male (abnormalities)
• Glycoproteins (blood)
• Humans
• Laparoscopy
• Male
• Testicular Hormones (blood)
• Testis (abnormalities, surgery)
• Testosterone (blood)