Hypoplasia of testicles and cryptorchidism

Omission of the testicles is a normal physiological process that should occur gradually and end up to eight months of the child's life. When exposed to a number of unfavorable factors, the testicles may not descend into the scrotum - this ailment is called cryptorchidism. If there is insufficient growth of testicles and funicles, then testicular hypoplasia occurs. These diseases are included in the group of abnormalities of the development of the male reproductive system and arise under the influence of similar etiological factors.

Etiology of the disease:

• Intrauterine infection;
• Poor nutrition of the mother during pregnancy and the impact of pathogenetic factors on the fetus (smoking, alcohol, drugs);
• Genomic and genomic abnormalities;
• Incompatibility of mother and fetus;
• Hormonal imbalance (especially in the case of gonadotropic hormones) ;
• Gonadal disgene;
• Abnormal development or underdevelopment of testicular ligaments.

Classification of cryptorchidism:

1. True undescension of the testicle in the scrotum - the testicle is located in the cavity of the small pelvis, inguinal ligament, and it can not be lowered independently into the scrotum.
2. False cryptorchidism is a muscle hypertonia. As a rule, in such a situation the testicle can be lowered into the scrotum without surgical intervention.
3. Ectopia or abnormal location of the testicle (on the thigh, in the groin).
4. Retracted or risen testicle - slow growth of the spermatic cord.

Hypoplasia of testicles - classification:

1. One-sided - one of the eggs of normal shape and size, the function is not broken.
2. Bilateral hypoplasia is regarded by urologists as anarchism and requires a serious approach.

Algorithm for diagnosing diseases

1. General examination of the patient - in most cases this method gives the most information to the doctor. Visually, the size, symmetry of the testicles is estimated. It is also necessary to examine the skin in the scrotum area. Often a mechanical obstruction or a hernia can lead to non-admission of the testicles.

As for hypoplasia, it is necessary to determine the size of each of the testicles.

2. Survey of patients or their parents (this applies to children) should include the following questions:

• When first noticed violations;
• Does the patient feel pain or discomfort in the crotch area at rest, during urination or defecation;
• What symptoms bother the patient;
• How my mother's pregnancy proceeded;
• What pathological factors, from the above, could affect the fetus;
• Whether the mental and physical development of the patient corresponds to its biological age.

3. Palpatory examination of the scrotum and rectum.

4. Spermogram and test temperature testes.

5. Analysis for sex hormones and thyroid hormones.

6. Ultrasound of the scrotum with dopplerography of the vessels. If necessary, you can conduct angiography.

Hypoplasia of the testicles often arises from genetic abnormalities, so the doctor can prescribe an analysis for the study of the patient's gene structure.

Treatment of cryptorchidism

First of all, you need to resort to surgical dipping of the testicle into the scrotum. The sooner this is done, the fewer consequences for the patient. In hormonal therapy , only people with false cryptorchidism are needed, it is performed before the operation.

Hypoplasia of testicles: treatment

If a patient has one testicle and the other is functioning normally, the doctor can offer prosthetics for the hypoplastic testicle. This operation is carried out only for an aesthetic purpose, because scientists can not create artificial organs by functioning organs yet.

In the case when a bilateral reduction of the testicles is diagnosed, hormone replacement therapy should be used to develop secondary sexual characteristics. Then it is also possible to perform an organ prosthesis.

Hypoplasia of the testicles is not only a physiological disorder, but also a trauma, so some patients need to consult a psychologist for help.