Undescended testis and torsion: is the risk understated?

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 98; no. 1; pp. 77 - 79
• Main Authors: Singal, Arbinder Kumar, Jain, Viral, Dubey, Manish, Deshpande, Pankaj
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.01.2013; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Abdomen; Age; Beals syndrome; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Boys; Case studies; Child, Preschool; Complications and side effects; cryptorchidism; Cryptorchidism - complications; Cryptorchidism - diagnosis; Cryptorchidism - surgery; Cryptorchism; Diagnosis, Differential; General aspects; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Hernias; Humans; Imprisonment; Infant; Infertility; Laparoscopy; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Non tumoral diseases; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk; Risk factors; Scientific Concepts; Surgery; testes; Testis - pathology; Torsion; Torsion Abnormality - diagnosis; Torsion Abnormality - surgery; Ultrasonic imaging; Undescended; Undescended testes; Human; Testicular torsion; Pediatrics; Malformation; Risk factor; Cryptorchidism; Risk; Congenital disease; Male genital diseases; Child; Testicular diseases; Public health
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302373

Undescended testis (UDT) is seen in 3% to 5% of all newborn boys. Complications such as infertility and malignant transformation have been well documented in UDT. However, torsion of a UDT can also occur and the diagnosis is often missed or delayed, leading to loss of testis. This event may occur even before the currently recommended age for surgery, which is at 6–9 months. We present a case series of six children with torsion of undescended testes and their subsequent diagnosis and management. The risk of torsion of UDT is understated. Paediatricians should be educated about this complication and torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis when a boy with an empty scrotum presents with acute abdomen or red and tender swelling in the groin, as early detection and intervention can help salvage the testes.