Ultrasonography in undescended testes.

The position of an undescended testicle is of importance for choice of therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the anatomic positions occupied by undescended testicles could be detected by an objective method. Real-time ultrasonography was performed in 83 patients with 123 undescended testicles. Patient compliance was 97 per cent. The testis was demonstrated as an echo-poor, oval structure in 113 of 119 examinations (95%). By determining the relation of the testis to definable anatomic landmarks in the inguinal region, all positions occupied by the testis could be characterized by ultrasound and the testicles classified accordingly. The relationship of the testis to the external ring was established in 112 cases (94%). Twenty-seven per cent of retractile and 11 per cent of truly undescended testicles were demonstrated in more than one ascended position. Estimation of testicular volume by sonography was unsuccessful compared with intraoperative measurements.