Skip to main content
Log in

Antenatal torsion of the testes, a cause of vanishing testis syndrome

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Pediatric Surgery International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

During the years 1976–1988, 412 patients were operated upon for cryptorchid testes. In 28 unilateral and 2 bilateral cryptorchid patients, no testes could be found. Pathologic examination of the blind-ended vas deferns (usually a nodule) in 6 cases showed calcified or hemosiderin-containing tissue. In 9 patients an abundance of blood vessels was noted. In 27 patients signs of fibrosis and/or hyalinization were found. It is postulated that in most instances the vanishing testis syndrome is due to in-utero vascular occlusion of the testicular vessels, which is most likely caused by torsion of the testis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abeyaratne MR, Aherne WA, Scott JES (1969) The vanishing testis. Lancet II: 822–824

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fletcher RM, Boal DKB, Karl SR, et al (1988) Ovarian torsion: an unusual cause of bilateral pelvic calcification. Pediatr Radiol 18: 172–173

    Google Scholar 

  3. Honore LM (1978) Unilateral anorchism. Report of 11 cases with discussion of etiology and pathogenesis. Urology 11: 251–254

    Google Scholar 

  4. Josso N, Briard ML (1980) Embryonic testicular regression syndrome: variable phenotypic expression in siblings. J Pediatr 97: 200–204

    Google Scholar 

  5. Jost A (1953) Problems of fetal endocrinology: the gonadal and hypophyseal hormones. Recent Prog Horm Res 8: 379

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kogan SJ, Dourmashkin M, Smey P, et al (1982) Occult undescended testis. N Y State J Med 82: 1855–1861

    Google Scholar 

  7. Kogan SJ, Gill B, Bennett B, et al (1986) Human monorchism: a clinicopathological study of unilateral absent testes in 65 boys. J Urol 135: 758–761

    Google Scholar 

  8. Levitt SB, Kogan SJ, Engel RM, et al (1978) The impalpable testis: a rational approach to management. J Urol 120: 515–520

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mares AJ, Mordechai Y, Grabarnik R, et al (1987) Antenatal torsion of the uterine adnexa in a neonate. Z Kinderchir 42: 381–383

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Correspondence to: J. A. Bar-Maor

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bar-Maor, J.A., Groisman, G. & Lam, M. Antenatal torsion of the testes, a cause of vanishing testis syndrome. Pediatr Surg Int 8, 236–238 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00182526

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00182526

Key words

Navigation