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Cryptorchidism represents the most common endocrine disease in boys, with infertility more frequently observed in bilateral forms. It is also known that undescended testes, if untreated, lead to an increased risk of testicular tumors, usually seminomas, arising from mutant germ cells. In normal testes, germ cell development is an active process starting in the first months of life when the neonatal gonocytes transform into adult dark (AD) spermatogonia. These cells are now thought to be the stem cells useful to support spermatogenesis. Several researches suggest that AD spermatogonia form between 3 and 9 months of age. Not all the neonatal gonocytes transform into AD spermatogonia; indeed, the residual gonocytes undergo involution by apoptosis. In the undescended testes, these transformations are inhibited leading to a deficient pool of stem cells for post pubertal spermatogenesis. Early surgical intervention in infancy may allow the normal development of stem cells for spermatogenesis. Moreover, it is very interesting to note that intra-tubular carcinoma in situ in the second and third decades have enzymatic markers similar to neonatal gonocytes suggesting that these cells fail transformation into AD spermatogonia and likely generate testicular cancer (TC) in cryptorchid men. Orchidopexy between 6 and 12 months of age is recommended to maximize the future fertility potential and decrease the TC risk in adulthood.

"We are beginning to move away from clinicopathologic diagnosis into an era of clinicoimaging diagnosis." This vision became a fact, as the dermatoscope represents nowadays the dermatologist stethoscope. This is not only because dermoscopy reveals a new and fascinating morphologic dimension of pigmented and nonpigmented skin tumors, but also because it improves the recognition of a growing number of skin symptoms in general dermatology. Melanoma detection remains the most important indication of dermoscopy and in melanoma screening the aim of dermoscopy is to maximize early detection while minimizing the unnecessary excision of benign skin tumors. In the last few years, 3 meta-analyses and 2 randomized studies have definitely proven that dermoscopy allows improving sensitivity for melanoma as compared to the naked eye examination alone. This is the consequence of at least 3 issues: first, the presence of early dermoscopy signs that are visible in melanoma much before the appearance of the classical clinical features; second, an increased attitude of clinicians to check more closely clinically banal-looking lesions; third, an improved attitude of clinicians to monitor their patients.

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Trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted Meckel's diverticulectomy is safe and effective in the treatment of MD, with excellent results.

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