Some common problems of pediatric cryptorchidism

  1.Is it possible to diagnose cryptorchidism if the testicles are not in the scrotum during ultrasound examination?  Cryptorchidism usually needs to be diagnosed by a specialist examination. In some children with retracted testicles, the testicles have a raising reflex during the ultrasound examination, and the testicles are raised to the upper scrotum or groin, but not inside the scrotum, which cannot be diagnosed as cryptorchidism. The testicular raising reflex is present in all children older than 2 years and is a response to protect the testicle from external injury, but it can also lift a normal testicle and misdiagnose it as an undescended testicle. The retracted testicle can be pushed manually into the bottom of the scrotum and can remain in the scrotum for a period of time after release.  2.Does the retracted testicle need to be reviewed regularly? Does it require treatment?  Testicular retraction needs to be checked annually because 32% of children with this condition are likely to have ascending testicles. Testicular retraction does not require medication or surgery.  3.Will the testes rise again when they grow up without cryptorchidism after birth? What are the reasons?  It is possible for this to happen. There is a possibility of testicular rise in 32-50% of unilateral testicular retraction. The ascending testis is mostly unilateral (77%), occurs mostly in mid-childhood, and is mostly located distal to the inguinal canal (77%). The cause of ascending testes is often due to excessive growth in children with relatively short or inadequately lengthened spermatic cords, or unclosed sphincters that limit the lengthening of the spermatic cords. Children younger than 7 years old with tight spermatic cords are at high risk of having acquired cryptorchidism and need to be reviewed annually until puberty.  4.What is the best age for cryptorchidism surgery?  6 months to 1 year old, no more than 18 months 5.What is the treatment for cryptorchidism?  Surgery is the gold standard for cryptorchidism. 6.Does cryptorchidism affect marriage and fertility?  Simple cryptorchidism usually does not affect penile erection and sexual function, unilateral cryptorchidism is usually fertile, but bilateral cryptorchidism will affect fertility. The effect of cryptorchidism on fertility is affected by various factors such as testicular position and testicular epididymis development.