Polyorchidism: color Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging findings

Management of a very rare case of polyorchidism: a case report

Background

Polyorchidism is a rare genetic anomaly characterized by the patient having more than two testicles. In the literature, only around two hundred cases have been reported. We present an unusual new case which does not conform to the traditional classifications of polyorchidism or previously reported cases. We discuss our diagnostic techniques as well as management decisions for this case and aim to raise awareness about the management choices available.

Case report

A 3-year-old male presented to the clinic by his parents due to concern of a painless swelling in the left inguinal region. Physical examination revealed features of a left indirect inguinal hernia. Furthermore, scrotal examination revealed a firm, non-compressible painless mass in the left scrotum which was inferior to the left testis. Ultrasonography suggested the mass as an extra testis, and MRI was followed which showed no signs of malignancy. Due to the reassuring nature of these findings, a conservative approach was taken, with the patient referred for regular follow-up.

Conclusion

When facing cases of polyorchidism, physicians should move away from considering surgical excision and biopsy as exclusive first-line management. Instead, we place emphasize and raise awareness about the option of conservative management if imaging shows no abnormalities. Ultimately, the aim of this paper is to raise awareness among the paediatric surgeon community that while excision may be a valid option, it is not the only treatment.

Polyorchidism: An Up-to-Date Systematic Review

Polyorchidism is a rare male urogenital tract anomaly characterized by at least one supernumerary testis in the scrotum or ectopically. According to data based on our systematic review, 76% of the supernumerary testes (SNTs) were located in the scrotum, and 24% were extra-scrotal (p < 0.001). Among testes located outside the scrotum, 87% were found in the inguinal canal and 13% in the abdominal cavity. In 80% of cases, the diagnosis of SNT was made based on imaging tests, and the remaining 20% of cases were detected incidentally during surgery. The imaging tests performed (US or MRI) resulted in a significantly higher rate of patients who qualified for observation vs. surgical treatment (45% vs. 35%, p < 0.001). The most common conditions associated with SNT were ipsilateral inguinal hernia (15% of cases) and cryptorchidism (15% of cases). Surgery (orchidopexy/orchidectomy) was performed on 54% of patients with SNT, and the decision to observe the SNT was made in a total of 46% of patients (p = 0.001). The therapeutic approach depends on the location of the SNT and the presence of factors that raise suspicion of neoplastic proliferation.

Sonographic evaluation of fetal scrotum, testes and epididymis

External male genitalia have rarely been evaluated on fetal ultrasound. Apart from visualization of the penis for fetal sex determination, there are no specific instructions or recommendations from scientific societies. This study aimed to review the current knowledge about prenatal diagnosis of the scrotum and internal structures, with discussion regarding technical aspects and clinical management. We conducted an article search in Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases for studies in English or Spanish language that discussed prenatal scrotal pathologies. We identified 72 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Relevant data were grouped into sections of embryology, ultrasound, pathology, and prenatal diagnosis. The scrotum and internal structures show a wide range of pathologies, with varying degrees of prevalence and morbidity. Most of the reported cases have described incidental findings diagnosed via striking ultrasound signs. Studies discussing normative data or management are scarce.

Polyorquidism: case report comparing ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Introduction: polyorchidism is an unusual pathology, about 200 cases in the world literature. Case report: we reported a case of polyorchidism in a 16-year-old male patient diagnosed by ultrasound and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Discussion: most of the cases presented, there is a supernumerary testis, but there are reports on more than three, up to five testicles with supranumerical gonads on both sides of the scrotum. The diagnosis is usually performed in late puberty, incidentally, with a painless scrotal mass or at the emergency room, presenting a testicular torsion of the whole hemiscrotum or supernumerary testisalone, and the differential diagnosis should be made with epididymal cyst and spermatocele, besides other extra-testicular masses (hydroceles, varicoceles, lipomas, tumors.) and para-testicular masses (hernias, scrotal calculi). After the initial clinical evaluation, ultrasound is the first line subsidiary exam. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is very helpful, just in case the ultrasound diagnosis is uncertain. The supernumerary testishave the same Magnetic Resonance Imaging characteristics as the normal testes (intermediate signal intensity on T1- weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images).

Five testicles in the genital area of a thirteen-month-old baby: a case report

BACKGROUND

Polyorchidism is a congenital anomaly of the urogenital system and means more than two testes. It is a rare phenomenon, where there are no more than 200 reported cases in the literature. In this case, we report a 13-month year's old case with five testicles.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a rare five testicles in the genital area of a 13-month-old baby. The initial diagnosis was undescended testis (UDT) based on ultrasound findings where a testis in the abdomen and a testis in the inguinal canal were detected. Surgery with general anaesthesia was performed to diagnose and treat this case. Before surgery, four HCG 1200u injections were administered. During the operation, it was determined that the case had had five testicles. Testicles were on the left in the proximal inguinal canal, and the sac hernia was ligated parallel to the inner ring. The patient was followed up several times after surgery by a urologist, and the results showed that there were no problems, and the intervention was uncomplicated.

CONCLUSION

Based on the result, it is not possible to diagnose such cases only by examination or ultrasound in infant patients, as the patient often presents with undescended testis (UDT), so the disease is diagnosed only through surgery.

Multiparametric ultrasound findings in a patient with polyorchidism

Polyorchidism is a rare condition usually incidentally discovered in young patients investigated with ultrasound for unrelated reasons. It is characterized by the presence of unilateral or, rarely, bilateral supernumerary testes which, depending on the type of polyorchidism, may have their own epididymis and vas deferens. Ultrasound, including B-mode and color Doppler technique, represents the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of scrotal diseases, including the characterization of supernumerary testes, which normally appear identical to the ipsilateral testicular parenchyma on every ultrasonographic technique performed. The role of MRI is thus limited to confirming ultrasonographic findings and excluding the presence of malignancy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a recently introduced ultrasonographic technique providing detailed and sensitive visualization of the perfusion pattern of structures. It can thus be added to the conventional ultrasonographic examination in order to establish the diagnosis, negating the use of more expensive and time-consuming imaging modalities. We present a young patient with an incidentally found supernumerary testis, where new distinctive ultrasonographic findings, like the identification of transmediastinal vessels and a cystic appendage along with the perfusion pattern on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, established the diagnosis of polyorchidism.

A Unique Case of Intraabdominal Polyorchidism: A Case Study

Background. Polyorchidism, alternatively supernumerary testes (SNT), is a condition where an individual is born with more than two testicles. This congenital anomaly is quite rare and the literature has described various presentations. Questions/Purposes. To our knowledge, this presentation of polyorchidism has yet to be described in the literature. The goal of this case study is to add to the pediatric, general, and urologic surgery's body of knowledge of the subject matter. Case Study. A nine-month-old boy was admitted for an impalpable right testis and phimosis. At the time of surgical exploration, there appeared to be polyorchid testis on the right-hand side, with three masses that potentially appeared to be undescended testes. Discussion. Proponents of a conservative approach argue that infertility is common in patients with polyorchidism and, by preserving a potentially functional SNT, there may be improved spermatogenesis. When performing definitive surgical treatment, meticulous intra-abdominal and intrainguinal exploration must be undertaken. Orchiopexy should be performed to reduce the chances of torsion, malignancy, and infertility. Conclusion. Our case is important to the literature as it is the first known case of polyorchidism with 3 SNT on the right side, located intra-abdominally, and in a patient less than 1 year of age.

Bilateral polyorchidism with ipsilateral two undescended testes: a rare congenital anomaly

Polyorchidism is defined as the presence of more than two testes. This rare congenital anomaly has been reported with only 140 pathologically proven cases in the published literature to date. While triorchidism is the most common variation and generally affects the left side, bilateral polyorchidism is even rare and only seven cases of patients with four testes have been reported in the literature. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the management of supernumerary testis due to its rareness. We report such a rare case of a 20-year-old male patient, who was presented with left-sided scrotal mass and right inguinal swelling and, diagnosed as polyorchidism including four distinct testes, with two of them in left hemiscrotum and the other two testes in the right inguinal canal. The patient underwent orchiopexy for the normal looking right-sided testis, and orchiectomy for the right-sided supernumerary testis being dysmorphic and potential malignancy risk. Histopathological examination confirmed the excised tissue to be severely atrophic testicle. The patient is still following with regular self-examination and scrotal ultrasonography. Polyorchidism should be keep in mind especially for the differential diagnosis of extratesticular and paratesticular masses. Physical examination may not be sufficient, and radiologic examination can provide accurate diagnosis. Conservative, extirpative or reconstructive approaches could be performed based on individual basis by reproductive potential and location of supernumerary testis, coexistence of other disorders and suspicion of malignancy.

A Rare Case of Polyorchidism: Four Testes

Background

Polyorchidism or supernumerary testis means more than two testes. It is very rare and to the best of our knowledge, there have been only about 200 cases reported.

Case Report

In this case report we want to present radiological features and assessment of a patient with four testicles.

Conclusions

If the vascularity and echogenicity of the scrotal mass is similar with the normal testis parenchyma, multitestis should be considered. The MRI might not provide us with additional information to USG or CDUSG, thus it is not necessary to perform it if there is no suspicion of malignancy.

Polyorchidism: two case reports and a review of the literature

Introduction

Polyorchidism is a very rare anomaly that is defined by the presence of more than two testes. Although its presentation is primarily as triorchidism, cases of four testes have also been reported in the literature.

Case presentation

In this report, we describe color Doppler ultrasound findings in two cases. Patient 1 was a 37-year-old Arabic man with a scrotal mass and a double testicle in the right hemiscrotum visualized by ultrasound. Patient 2 was an 11-year-old Arabic boy with an inguinal mass resulted to be an additional testicle in the inguinal canal. The echogenic texture and vascular flow of supernumerary testicles in question were similar to those of the normal testicles; however, their size was smaller. After 3 years of follow-up, the tertiary testes in the two patients remained stable in both size and echogenicity.

Conclusion

Ultrasound plays a crucial role in the evaluation of masses. Notably, inguinal or scrotal masses should not always be considered as lymph nodes or tumors. Indeed, a radiologist should always keep polyorchidism in mind when such masses are encountered.

Functional supernumerary testis in a child with testicular torsion and review of polyorchidism

Histologically confirmed polyorchidism is an uncommon condition. The majority of cases are asymptomatic and associated with inguinal hernia or cryptorchidism. There are few reported cases of pediatric supernumerary testis presenting with testicular torsion. We present a case of missed torsion with incidentally detected triorchidism as well as an overview of pediatric polyorchidism.