Ultrasonographic late results after surgically treated cryptorchidism

Abstract

Background. Because uncorrected cryptorchidism is accompanied by the high risk of later disturbed testicular function and cancer, early surgery in the second year of life is recommended.

Objective. To evaluate testicular morphology, the sonomorphologic testicular long-term outcome and additional complications, as well as possible differences depending on varying ages at surgery.

Materials and methods. Seventy-five previously maldescended testes in 68 boys were studied with US, 2–11 years after intrascrotal orchidopexy. Nineteen had been operated on in the first or second year of life, while the other 49 boys underwent surgery at a later age (up to 7 years). Each examination utilised conventional B-mode and colour Doppler (7-MHz linear ART probe, Acuson XP 128) to examine the scrotal and inguinal regions on both sides; testicular volume and perfusion were assessed. Ultrasound changes in testicular volume, architecture and Doppler flow rates were regarded as the most valid indirect indices of testicular damage. Histopathological correlation was not obtained, for ethical reasons, in any of the probands.

Results. Thirty-five of the surgically fixed testes were normal with regard to position, volume, structure and perfusion. The other 40 (53 %) showed abnormalities of one or more of these parameters without any correlation with the patient's age at surgery or the time interval between surgery and US. Additional relevant findings, which were also found on the non-operated side, were: microlithiasis (n = 6), inguinally retained testis (n = 6), hydrocoele (n = 5), hydatid (n = 5) and varicocoele (n = 1).

Conclusions. Ultrasound, including colour Doppler, enables an exact morphological analysis of the late results after surgically corrected cryptorchidism. The spectrum of findings does not show any correlation with the time of surgery. Thus, the value of even early surgery has to be questioned. Pre-existent primary damage (dysplasia) seems more important for long-term outcome of the testis. Additionally, US was of high value in demonstrating additional unexpected anomalies, the majority of which needed sonographic follow-up or even surgery.