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Cryptorchidism

Pamela Ellsworth, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Incomplete or improper descent of one or both testicles; also called undescended testes (1)

  • Normally descent is in month 7 to 8 of gestation. The cryptorchid testis may be palpable o...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

≥1 testicles in a site other than the scrotum 

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Performed with warm hands, with child in sitting, standing, and squatting position

  • A Valsalva maneuver and applied pressure t...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Rule out retractile testis.

  • American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines on cryptorchidism do not recommend use of hormonal therapy to induce testicular descent due to low...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Initial follow-up within 1 month of surgery and periodically thereafter to assess testicular size/growth

  • Patients with retractile testes should be examined at leas...

REFERENCES

1
Kolon  TF, Herndon  CDA, Baker  LA, et al. Evaluation and treatment of cryptorchidism. https://www.auanet.org/education/guidelines/cryptorchidism.cfm. Accessed Octo...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Braga  LH, Lorenzo  AJ. Cryptorchidism: a practical review for all community healthcare providers. Can Urol Assoc J.  2017; 11(1–2 Suppl 1): S26– S32...

CODES

ICD10

  • Q53.9 Undescended testicle, unspecified

  • Q53.10 Unspecified undescended testicle, unilateral

  • Q53.20 Undescended testicle, unspecified, bilateral

  • Q53.11 Abdominal testis, unilateral

  • Q53.21 Abdomi...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • If testicular descent does not occur by 6 months of age, it is unlikely to occur. Refer to urologist at 6 months.

  • Children with bilateral, nonpalpable UDTs require laboratory evaluation...

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