[Morphologic and histopathologic analysis of testicular appendages].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of testicular appendages, observe their morphology, and analyze their histopathological origins.

METHODS

We observed 67 testes in 54 patients (15 children and 39 adults) undergoing scrotal surgery, investigated the incidence of testicular appendages, and identified their histopathological origins. We used the Chi-square test to compare the findings from the children and adult patients, with P < 0.05 as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The detection rates of the appendix testis, appendix epididymis, paradidymis, vas aberrans superior, and vas aberrans inferior were 80.6% (54/67), 23.9% (16/67), 1.5% (1/67), 3.0% (2/67), and 1.5% (1/67), respectively. The incidence of testicular appendages was higher in children than in adults (93.3% vs 80.8%), but with no statistically significant difference (Chi2 = 1.339, P > 0.05), and that of the appendix testis and epididymis with pedicles was significantly higher in the former than in the latter (82.4% vs 54.7%, chi2 = 4.149, P < 0.05). Pathological examination showed that the appendix testis originated from the paramesonephric duct, while the appendix epididymis, paradidymis, vas aberrans superior, and vas aberrans inferior from the mesonephric duct.

CONCLUSION

Testicular appendages consist of five embryonic remnants, including appendix testis, appendix epididymis, paradidymis, vas aberrans superior, and vas aber- rans inferior. The appendix testis originates from the paramesonephric duct, and the other four from the mesonephric duct. The clinical implication of these testicular appendages is their tendency to torsion.