Perineal Ectopic Testis: Delayed Diagnosis and Surgical Management in a Rare Variant of Cryptorchidism.
N Kuas*, H Turan**, HB Gürleyen***, C Bilir***, MS Arda***
*Clinic of Pediatric Urology, University of Health Sciences, Eskisehir City Hospital
**Bakırcay University Çiğli Training and Education Hospital, Dept. of Pediatric Urology, İzmir
***Bakırcay University Çiğli Training and Education Hospital, Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, İzmir
Introduction
Perineal ectopic testis is a rare form of testicular descent anomaly, accounting for less than 1% of all cryptorchidism cases. Due to its atypical location, diagnosis is often delayed. Late diagnosis may predispose to complications such as trauma, torsion, atrophy, and malignancy. In this report, we present the surgical management of a pediatric case with perineal ectopic testis diagnosed at a late stage.
Case Report
A six-year-old boy was admitted with the complaint of non-palpable right testis in the scrotum. On physical examination, a mobile, soft mass was detected in the right perineal region. The left testis was in its normal scrotal position. Scrotal ultrasonography confirmed that the mass was testicular tissue.
Surgical exploration was performed through a transverse scrotal incision. The spermatic cord was suspended, and blunt and sharp dissection was carried out to access the perineal region. Adhesions around the testis were carefully released while preserving vascular structures. The spermatic cord length was sufficient. The processus vaginalis was separated from the cord structures with high ligation. No long loop deformity was observed. The testis was placed into a dartos pouch and fixed. No postoperative complications occurred.
Discussion
Perineal ectopic testis is a rare and diagnostically challenging variant of cryptorchidism. These testes do not descend spontaneously into the scrotum; therefore, surgical intervention is required once the diagnosis is established. Systematic physical examination plays a critical role in the early detection and treatment of ectopic testes. Early surgical management is crucial in preventing long-term complications such as torsion, trauma, atrophy, and malignancy.
Keywords: Cryptorchidism, perineal ectopic testis, pediatric surgery, orchiopexy, delayed diagnosis