The basic point in diagnostics of cryptorhism is examination by a doctor (urologist or pediatrician). It is diagnosed on the basis of palpation or ultrasound examination.
One can distinguish the following types of cryptorhism: unilateral, bilateral, false, genuine and ectopic testis.
False cryptorhism. This means that on the face of it there is no testicle in a scrotum. But under the influence of warmth, in calm, slack state the testicle descends without assistance. This so-called migrating testicle can be explained by the fact that at pre-pubertal age the diameter of a testicle is less that the diameter of an external inguinal ring. Thus the muscle that lifts a testicle when contracting pulls a testicle to the inguinal fold area without any difficulty. Such a state can be called a variant of norm.
Genuine cryptorhism is retention of a testicle in an abdominal cavity or inguinal canal. During examination it is easy to see the underdeveloped part of scrotum, where the testicle is to be situated. It is possible to palpate a testicle in case of genuine inguinal cryptorhism; however its bringing down to a scrotum is either impeded or impossible.
In this case either conservative or surgical treatment is possible.
With abdominal cryptorhism it is impossible to define a testicle. Ultrasound examination doesn't always help to define its localization. Such state can be entailed by pain syndrome in the area of undescended testis that is provoked by testicle's growth or by disturbance of passage on deferent duct.
In this case only surgical treatment is used.
Ectopic testis. We speak about ectopic testis when a testicle doesn't descend into its usual place (i.e. it descends under perineum skin, to internal side of a thigh, hypodermic cellular tissue of inguinal area). The major reason of this deviation is mechanical hindrances.
Only surgical treatment is used at this situation.
Cryptorhism
How can cryptorhism be revealed?
What is the danger of cryptorhism?
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