Discontinuous splenogonadal fusion diagnosed on computed tomography

Lumbar Cryptorchidism with Splenogonadal Fusion: The Odd Couple

We present and discuss the clinical, radiological, surgical, and histopathologic findings in a 16-month-old child who presented with bilateral cryptorchidism. He was investigated radiologically with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, diagnosed with small right inguinal and an enlarged left abdominal testis, and he underwent left orchidectomy and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of Splenogonadal fusion.

Splenogonadal fusion: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Splenogondal fusion (SGF) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by abnormal association between the splenic tissue and the gonads or mesonephric remnants. SGF that requires separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexy on both the left and right sides is extremely rare. SGF could be misdiagnosed as testicular malignancy and leads to unnecessary orchiectomy.

Case presentation

This is a case of an 8-month old male infant presented with bilateral cryptorchidism, B-mode ultrasound visualized the left and right testes in the lower abdominal cavity and the upper margin of the left testicle as a hypoechoic mass extending to the spleen, indicating an undescended right testis and possible SGF on the left side. Single-site laparoscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of SGF on the left side and an undescended right testis. As both testes were high and the right spermatic vessel was poorly developed and short, a routine single stage orchiopexy would be difficult and risky, therefore, separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexies for both sides were implemented. Stage 1 of the staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexy for the right side was performed first without treating the left side, Stage 2 for the right side, separation of the left testis from the spleen as well as Stage 1 for the left side were performed 7 months later, and Stage 2 for the left side was performed 7 months after that. Follow-up ultrasound 1 year after the surgery revealed no obvious abnormalities in the shapes of the testes or their blood supply. This treatment strategy prevented unnecessary orchiectomy.

Conclusions

We reported a rare case of SGF that needed separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexies for both sides, and a review of the recent literature. SGF is a rare congenital anomaly often diagnosed incidentally during exploration/surgery for scrotal swelling/mass, cryptorchidism or inguinal hernia in young patients. Surgeons, especially pediatric surgeons should be aware of this rare condition to avoid unnecessary, life-altering radical orchiectomy. When routine single stage orchiopexy is not feasible or risky for either side, separate two-stage laparoscopic staged Fowler-Stephen orchiopexies could be performed on both the left and right sides to avoid unnecessary orchiectomy.

Splenogonadal fusion: a radiologic-pathologic correlation and review of the literature

We present the case of a 29-year-old male who presented to his General Practitioner with a left testicular lump. Scrotal ultrasound examination revealed 4 well-defined, homogenous, mildly hypoechoic extratesticular mass lesions. He was referred for an urgent urological opinion and underwent local excision. Histologic analysis revealed splenic tissue resulting in the diagnosis of splenogonadal fusion.