The lameness in a cryptorchid dog with intra-abdominal torsion of one of the two neoplastic testicles: a case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT:This report describes a case of hind limb lameness associated with intra-abdominal torsion of a neoplastic testicle in a dog. An 11-year-old, male, bilaterally cryptorchid dog was referred for third degree lameness in the left hind limb. An orthopaedic and radiographic examination did not reveal any alteration in the limb, whereas transabdominal palpation and ultrasonography showed the presence of retained gonads. The surgical procedure revealed a left testicular torsion adherent to the viscera and peritoneum in the ventral-caudal part of the abdomen. A few days after a bilateral orchiectomy, the lameness was completely resolved. Histopathological investigations allowed diagnosis of intestitial (Sertoli) cell tumours in both testicles. One of the two testes was twisted. Sertolioma often affects undescended testicles and causes additional clinical changes, due to estrogenic steroidogenesis. The hyper-oestrogenism is characterised by alopecia, feminisation, prostatic alteration and haematological disorders. However, in this case these clinical signs were not present. The aim of this case report is to highlight the correlation of the disease and the onset of limp, which is similar to what has been reported in human medicine in patients affected by meralgia paresthetica.

Canine cryptorchidism: An update

“…As reviewed previously (Romagnoli, 1991), cryptorchid dogs have a greater risk for testicular neoplasia (especially Sertoli cell tumour and seminoma) and torsion. The association of cryptorchidism with these testicular disorders has been further confirmed in more recent case reports (Bosschere & Deprest, 2010;Bufalari, Proni, Moretti, Di, & A., & Pirico, S., 2015;Hecht, King, Tidwell, & Gorman, 2004;Hong, Lee, Han, & Kim, 2011;Kang et al, 2011;Mostachio et al, 2007;Park et al, 2017;Quartuccio, Marino, Garufi, Cristarella, & Zanghì, 2012;Saegusa et al, 2011;Stokowski, Ruth, Lanz, & Ziglioli, 2016;Withers, Lawson, Burton, Rebhun, & Steffey, 2016) and a retrospective study on canine testicular tumours (Liao, Chu, Yeh, Lin, & Liu, 2009) Spermatic cord torsion was reported in the left neoplastic testis of an 11-year-old bilateral cryptorchid Poodle with left hindlimb lameness as the presenting complaint (Bufalari et al, 2015). It was reported that the lameness resolved completely within 2 days of bilateral cryptorchidectomy.…”

“…As reviewed previously (Romagnoli, ), cryptorchid dogs have a greater risk for testicular neoplasia (especially Sertoli cell tumour and seminoma) and torsion. The association of cryptorchidism with these testicular disorders has been further confirmed in more recent case reports (Bosschere & Deprest, ; Bufalari, Proni, Moretti, Di, & A., & Pirico, S., ; Hecht, King, Tidwell, & Gorman, ; Hong, Lee, Han, & Kim, ; Kang et al, ; Mostachio et al, ; Park et al, ; Quartuccio, Marino, Garufi, Cristarella, & Zanghì, ; Saegusa et al, ; Stokowski, Ruth, Lanz, & Ziglioli, ; Withers, Lawson, Burton, Rebhun, & Steffey, ) and a retrospective study on canine testicular tumours (Liao, Chu, Yeh, Lin, & Liu, ). The retrospective study involved a total of 476 male canine tumours, of which 96 were testicular tumours [33 seminomas ( SEM ), 25 interstitial cell tumours (ICT), 22 were mixed germ cell‐sex cord stromal cell tumours (MGCSCT), and 16 were Sertoli cell tumours (SCT)].…”

“…Spermatic cord torsion was reported in the left neoplastic testis of an 11‐year‐old bilateral cryptorchid Poodle with left hindlimb lameness as the presenting complaint (Bufalari et al, ). It was reported that the lameness resolved completely within 2 days of bilateral cryptorchidectomy.…”

Intra-abdominal torsion of a non-neoplastic cryptorchid testis in an adult dog

“…Complications associated to an intra-abdominal testicle is infertility, increased risk of neoplasia, and testicular torsion, which can result in acute pain (HECHT et al, 2004;QUARTUCCIO et al, 2012;CARR et al, 2015;KHAN et al, 2018). Consequently, dogs with cryptorchidism should be neutered at a younger age to avoid complications (BOSSCHERE & DEPREST, 2010;BUFALARI et al, 2015;STOKOWSKI et al, 2016;KHAN et al, 2018). The clinical diagnosis of cryptorchidism cannot be excluded in the case of pain in the right hypogastric region (AMANN & VEERAMACHANENI, 2007;HECHT et al, 2004;QUARTUCCIO et al, 2012) and was supported by the ultrasound findings (HRICAK et al, 1983;HECHT et al, 2004).…”