15th April 2024

Presentation

Cryptorchidism is a relatively common presentation in new-borns with a prevalence between 1.8% to 8.4%. It is typically identified by manual palpation during the new born physical examination. The position of the testis can be classified as:

• Cryptorchid – This is a testis that is not located within the scrotum and can’t be manipulated to reposition it into the scrotum
• Ectopic – An ectopic testis is a testis that has not followed the normal developmental route of the testis during descent, it may be femoral, perineal, pubopenile or crossed scrotal
• Gliding – A testis which can be manipulated to be located in the upper scrotum but once the manipulation is stopped, the testis retract to their original position
• Retractile – A testis which can be manipulated to be located in the scrotum and does not immediately return to its original position (15)
• Acquired – In a patient born with scrotal testis, if they later ascend to a higher position, this is known as acquired cryptorchidism