A case of transverse testicular ectopia

Crossed testicular ectopia

Crossed testicular ectopia (CTE) is a rare anomaly, characterized by migration of one testis towards the opposite inguinal canal. Presented here is a case of crossed ectopia of the right testis, treated by extraperitoneal transposition of the gonad and right orchiopexy. Embriology and surgical findings suggest that CTE is a common consequence of many unclear ethiologic factors, specially mechanical ones, and can be associated with Muller duct persistence. Review of literature suggests a classification of CTE into 3 types: I--associated with inguinal hernia alone; II--associated with persistent mullerian remnants; III--associated with other anomalies without mullerian remnants. Treatment includes transeptal orchiopexy or extraperitoneal transposition of the testis, research for mullerian remnants and other anomalies, and long term postoperative follow-up, due to the risk of becoming malignant.

Crossed testicular ectopia in association with double incomplete testicular descent

Crossed testicular ectopia is a rare condition which usually presents as a hernia on the side of a fully descended testis and an impalpable testis on the contralateral side. At operation two testes are found on the side of the hernia. A case of crossed testicular ectopia where both testes had failed to reach the scrotum is described. The criteria for diagnosis of crossed testicular ectopia are listed and the appropriate management of the disorder is discussed.

Transverse testicular ectopia

In transverse or crossed testicular ectopia, the affected gonad lies in the same canal as the normally descended testis. During a 5-yr span, three children with this form of ectopia were seen. All presented with a symptomatic right inguinal hernia and an empty scrotum on the left side. The ages at operation were 1, 3, and 5 mo. Only the first patient was reoperated. In this child, the diagnosis of transverse testicular ectopia was made during the herniorrhaphy and the ectopic, but otherwise normal, gonad returned to the abdominal cavity. A subsequent left orchidopexy through a celiotomy was done. In the last two patients, the correct diagnosis was made preoperatively. Both gonads were of equal size and normal, occupying the same hemiscrotum. A herniorrhaphy with fixation of the ectopic gonad to the opposite hemiscrotum was done in both. All three children are otherwise normal. Cases collected from the literature are discussed. The condition should be suspected if a unilateral hernia is associated with a contralateral, nonpalpable testis and may not be as rare as formerly thought.