Gross morphologic variations and histologic changes in cryptorchid testes

Abstract

Cryptorchid testes are frequently accompanied by gross morphologic changes with regard to the size and shape of the testis, various degrees of detachment between the epididymis and testis, elongation of the caudal epididymis and vas deferens, as well as histologic changes. This study examined the gross and microscopic testicular, epididymal, and vas changes in relation to various parameters in 824 patients operated upon in our clinic during the last decade. The major findings were the following: (1) most patients (78.8%) were older than 4 years, and many older than 8 years (39.8%); (2) the frequency of abdominal undescended testes decreased with increasing age (P <0.1), while the frequency of suprascrotal testes increased with increasing age (P <0.001); (3) most of the undescended testes in a suprascrotal position were normal or had mild atrophy (78.7%), while those in intracanalicular, internal ring, and abdominal positions frequently presented moderate or severe atrophy (71,38%; (P <0.0001); and (4) most suprascrotal testes were either normal or had mild extension and looping of the epididymis (63.8%), while most of the intracanalicular, internal ring, and abdominal testes showed moderate or profound epididymal anomalies (63.4%; P <0.0001). We conclude that even though the necessity for early surgical correction of cryptorchidism is well established, these patients at least in our region, still tend to come very late to surgery, with consequent increased risks of infertility and malignant transformation.