Poliorquidismo

Abstract

Although remotely, there is a possibility of malignant degeneration of these testicles, so that surgical exploration and excision of the supernumerary testicles when their biopsy is doubtful in terms of dysplasia or if they present carcinoma in situ or they are a source of pain.

Polyorchidism: the case in a young male and review of the literature

“…Blasius described it for the first time in 1670 as an incidental finding in an autopsy, while Lane was the one who performed the first histological description of a supernumerary testis in 1895. 1 2 Before imaging diagnosis techniques, this condition could only be verified under surgical exploration. Nowadays, current imaging techniques have increased the number of diagnosis of this anatomical variation.…”

“…However, several locations have been described at any point along the way of embryological testicular descent to its final scrotal location. 1 2 3 7 According to the literature, patient age at diagnosis ranges from 15 to 25 years, with a mean age of 17 years in the study including the largest series reported. 3 Diagnosing this malformation in childhood or in individuals over 50 is even more infrequent.…”

“…The clinical signs and symptoms consist of scrotal pain, which may be intermittent and associated or not to palpation of scrotal tumor, as in the case we report. 1 Many patients have never experienced clinical symptoms, and the diagnosis might be incidental. 7 Imaging studies are essential for reaching the diagnosis.…”

“…Hormone determination of β-hCG, AFP and LDH could be requested in case of doubt of testicular cancer. 1 …”

“…Regarding to associated pathologies, inguinal hernia (24%–30%), cryptorchidism (15%–40%), testicular torsion (13%–15%), hydrocele (9%), pain (7%), hypospadias, persistence of Müller ducts (7%–9%), chromosome alterations (3%), testicular cancer (6%) and varicocele (1%–1.4%) are possible. 1 2 3 7 9 Among all of these, testicular cancer is the most remarkable, which occurs more frequently in cryptorchidism. 3 Another situation found in these patients is infertility that can lead to the diagnosis in some cases.…”