Leiden University Scholarly Publications

Goede, J. 2012

Testicular microlithiasis and undescended testis

Doctoral Thesis

some documents under embargo

2013-07-19T00:00:00Z; 2012-07-19T00:00:00Z; 2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

This thesis describes the prevalence rates of testicular microlithiasis in symptomatic, asymptomatic boys and in boys with Down syndrome. We advise regular self-examination from the age of 15 in... Show moreThis thesis describes the prevalence rates of testicular microlithiasis in symptomatic, asymptomatic boys and in boys with Down syndrome. We advise regular self-examination from the age of 15 in boys with testicular microlithiasis and annual ultrasound in boys with Down syndrome. Furthermore, normative values of testicular volume measured by ultrasound and the volume of retractile testes are described. The volumes for the boys with retractile testes were significantly smaller than normative values. Finally, testicular growth in boys with acquired undescended testis managed with a conservative attitude and an overview of acquired undescended testis is presented. We concluded that acquired undescended testis has a 77.5% tendency of spontaneous descent at puberty and, after spontaneous descent as well as after pubertal orchidopexy, long-term testicular growth is within the normal range. We speculate that acquired undescended testis is in fact congenital: it is the result of a short funiculus at birth, which allows a low scrotal position early in life. However, as the boy grows, the testis evolves into an undescended state. As a result of gonadal stimulation at puberty, spontaneous descent occurs in three of every four cases. Show less