Histologic Evaluation of the Testicular Remnant Associated with the Vanishing Testes Syndrome: Is Surgical Management Necessary?

Canadian Urological Association-Pediatric Urologists of Canada (CUA-PUC) guideline for the diagnosis, management, and followup of cryptorchidism

“…Remnant cord structures are usually removed to confirm the diagnosis and because viable residual testicular elements are present in up to 14% of the cases. 48 It should be noted that to date, no cases of Guideline: Cryptorchidism intratubular germ cell neoplasia have been reported within these specimens. 3.…”

The testicular regression syndrome—do remnants require routine excision?

“…Cryptorchidism is not uncommon, with about 3% of full-term neonates having an incompletely descended testis at birth, reducing to about 1% by the age of 1 year [5]. The testis is impalpable in 10% to 20% of cryptorchidism cases [3,5,6], and of these, TRS accounts for 35% to 60% [4,7,8]. Although the etiology, pathophysiology, and prognosis of TRS and that of the viable undescended testis might be different [9], TRS is thought to be the result of late antenatal or perinatal vascular thrombosis, torsion, or endocrinopathy [3,[10][11][12]].…”

“…Fibrosis, dystrophic calcification, and hemosiderin deposition in association with identifiable testicular/paratesticular structures are also features of TRS [1,3]. Optimal management of the testicular remnant is controversial [4]. Some authors advocate routine excision of remnants, whereas others believe that this is superfluous.…”

Vanishing Testis Syndrome: Report of Two Cases

“…However, there is disagreement regarding the removal of the remnant structures in cases of TRS. These structures were detected in up to 11% of reported cases and among these, cellular atypia was found in up to 26% [4,6]. We found a single case report of malignant transformation of testicular remnants in a cases of TRS [7].…”