Fait Gideon, Yaron Yoval, Shenhar Daniel, Gull Ilan, Har-Toov Joseph, Jaffa Ariel J, Wolman Igal
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
J Ultrasound Med. 2002 Jan;21(1):15-8; quiz 20. doi: 10.7863/jum.2002.21.1.15.
To assess the sonographic detection rate of fetal undescended testes among a low-risk population during the third trimester.
A sonographic evaluation, which included biometric studies and a detailed examination of the fetal genitalia, was performed prospectively on 332 male fetuses of singleton pregnancies between 34 and 40 weeks' gestation. A qualified neonatologist examined the presence of the testes within the scrotum within 3 days after birth.
The scrotum was visible in 294 (89%) of the 332 fetuses who were examined. It was visible in all fetuses evaluated between 34 and 36 weeks' gestation. Nine cases of undescended testes were detected (3%). Of these, the diagnosis of 1 case, examined at 34 weeks' gestation, was revealed after birth to be false-positive. There were no false-negative results.
Sonographic examination during the late third trimester of pregnancy appears to allow accurate diagnosis of undescended testes prenatally. This early identification will alert the neonatologist of the possibility of cryptorchidism and will permit early postnatal identification and treatment.
