[Transverse testicular ectopia. A review of the literature and a case report].

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of crossed testicular ectopia that was diagnosed in a 52-year-old patient who had consulted for infertility associated with a genital anomaly.

METHODS

Patient evaluation included hematological, hormonal, cytogenetic and imaging studies. An exploratory operation was also performed.

RESULTS

The hematological, hormonal and cytogenetic studies gave normal results. There were no urinary tract abnormalities in the intravenous urography; retrograde urethrography disclosed a narrow duct behind the urethra that ascended towards the left inguinal duct and divided into two epididymides after reaching the scrotum. Surgical exploration showed two testes in the left scrotal pouch that were biopsied. Histological examination revealed an almost complete hyalinization of the tubular wall with no germ cells within the tubules.

CONCLUSIONS

Crossed testicular ectopia is one of the most uncommon testicular anomalies and is often associated with other disorders such as inguinal hernia, hypospadias, pseudohermaphroditism and scrotal abnormalities. Like all dysgenetic testes, progression to malignancy is relatively frequent. The foregoing should be remembered when dealing with these patients.