The predictive value of inguinal herniography for the diagnosis and treatment of cryptorchidism.

PURPOSE

We evaluated the role of a patent processus vaginalis for cryptorchidism as well as inguinal herniography as a predictor of the efficacy of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 244 boys with unilateral and 66 with bilateral cryptorchidism. All patients underwent inguinal herniography and received HCG. Nonresponders to treatment subsequently underwent orchiopexy, when processus vaginalis status, testicular position and epididymal characteristics were assessed.

RESULTS

HCG was effective for 139 of 281 testes (49.5%) with an obliterated and 0 of 95 with a patent processus vaginalis on herniography. We further evaluated herniography in accordance with orchiopexy findings of persistent unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism in 206 boys (237 testes) after HCG. Herniography findings of processus vaginalis morphology revealed a close correlation with that reported by the surgeon after orchiopexy (p<0.000005). The incidence of a patent processus vaginalis increased as testicular position became more caudal. The processus vaginalis was obliterated in all cases of anorchia. The incidence of more severe epididymal anomalies decreased as the testicular position became more caudal. Epididymal abnormalities were more common when the processus vaginalis was patent.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment herniography assessment of processus vaginalis morphology is of prognostic value for predicting the efficacy of hormone treatment, the presence or absence of testes when they are nonpalpable and future fertility.