Purpose:
@EN A histological study was undertaken to characterized the vanished testes in boys who had impalpable cryptorchidism and found to have nubbin during last 9-years period.
@ES methods:
@EN Of 108 impalpable cryptorchid boys, 42(44 nubbins, 38.9%) were found to have vanished testes at exploration. Results: Thirty nine(88.6%) were locatd on the left side and the other 5(11.4%) were on the right side. The age range was 6 months to
14
years(mean;52.2 months). All 44 nubbin remnants were excised and examined microscopically. Grossly it was characterized by several centimeters of spermatic cord with small fibrotic tissue at distal end. Microscopically fibrous tissues were
identified in
all 44 specimentS(100%), vasa deferens in 36(81.8%), epididymides in 19(43.2%), calcifications in 18(40.9%), hemosiderin deposits in 6(13.6%), germ cells in 5(11.4%), seminiferous tubules in 7(15.9%), tunicae albuginea in 7(15.9%0 and
hyalinizations in
3(6.8%).
@ES Conclusions:
@EN The finding of scattered foci of calcifications, hemosiderin deposits and the presence of relatively normal spermatic cord and epididymis, supports the concept of in utero torsion of the testis as the etiology of vanished testis. The 11.4%
incidence
of viable germ cells warrants exploration and removal of remnant tissue in boys with a impalpable cryptorchidism.
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