Volume 4, Issue 2 ( Journal of Clinical and Basic Research (JCBR) 2020)                   jcbr 2020, 4(2): 15-19 | Back to browse issues page


XML Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Nasr ali S, Mohammed Omar A M R, Alhama H. Clinical and Histopathological Evaluations of Testicular Regression Syn-drome: A Case Report. jcbr 2020; 4 (2) :15-19
URL: http://jcbr.goums.ac.ir/article-1-251-en.html
1- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt؛ Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar , sabrynasraly@yahoo.com
2- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt;Al Emadi Hospital, Doha, Qatar
3- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Pediatric University Hospital, Damascus, Syria; Al Emadi Hospital, Doha, Qatar
Full-Text [PDF 300 kb]   (1159 Downloads)     |   Abstract (HTML)  (2630 Views)
Full-Text:   (689 Views)

Abstract



Background: Testicular regression syndrome (TRS) is defined as the partial or total absence of testicular tissue in 46XY patients with normal external genitalia. The incidence of TRS has been reported to be less than 5% in patients with cryptorchidism. Herein, we report a case of a one-year old boy who underwent surgical exploration with an initial diagnosis of cryptorchidism.
Case description: a one-year old male came to the outpatient clinic at Al Emadi Hospital, Doha, Qatar. Physical examination revealed normal external genitalia with palpable right testis and non-palpable left testis. The initial diagnosis was cryptorchidism. Testicular structure was not identified and a presumed testicular remnant in the left superficial inguinal ring was sent for histological examination. The histological examination revealed a fibrovascular nodule, spermatic cord structures, calcification and hemosiderin deposits supporting the diagnosis of TRS.
Conclusion: When patient fulfills clinical and pathological criteria for TRS, we should consider the possibility of orchiopexy and testicular prosthesis implantation to decrease the risk of testicular torsion and negative psychological effects.
KEYWORDS: Testis; Cryptorchidism; Gonadal dysgenesis, Orchiopexy; Histopathology      

         

 

 

INTRODUCTION





  Testicular regression syndrome (TRS) is defined as the partial or total absence of testicular tissue, either unilateral or bilateral, with or without rudimentary epididymis and spermatic cord in 46XY males. The supposed mechanism is due to atrophy and disappearance of an initially normal testis in the intrauterine life (1). The presence of the spermatic cord indicates presence of the testis in the early fetal life. When the absence of testis is associated with a blind ending spermatic cord, this entity is named as the ‘vanishing testis syndrome’’ and is assumed to be a consequence of intrauterine or perinatal torsion or infarction (2, 3). In case of non-palpable testis, surgical exploration is advised and orchiopexy should be done if the gonad is found. Otherwise, removal of the remaining structures for histological analysis is recommended (4, 5). Among the histological findings, presence of a fibrovascular nodule is considered a mandatory diagnostic criterion for TRS. Other findings that re-enforce the diagnosis of TRS include the spermatic cord structures (testicular artery, pampiniform plexus, nerves and vas deferens), dystrophic calcification, hemosiderin deposits and rudimentary epididymis (6).
  In this report, we present a case of an infant who underwent surgical exploration with an initial diagnosis of cryptorchidism after clinical examination in a neonatal clinic and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of TRS.



CASE PRESENTATION



  We present a case of a one-year old male who came to the outpatient clinic at Al Emadi Hospital, Doha, Qatar. Physical examination revealed normal external genitalia with palpable right testis and non-palpable left testis. The initial diagnosis was cryptorchidism. Ultrasound scanning of the scrotum revealed a normal testis that was seen in the right tunica vaginalis sac measuring about 14×9×8 mm, while the left testis was not seen in the left tunica vaginalis sac. However, a small hypoechoic focus about 10×3×2.6 mm with small cord-like structure leading to it was seen in the left inguinal region near the superficial ring. The patient underwent left inguinal surgical exploration and a fibrous nodule with attached cord (Figure 1A) was removed and later sent for histological examination. Gross histological examination described a firm tissue fragment measuring about 2.5×0.7 cm with fibrous cut sections and attached cord-like structure sized approximately 4×0.2 cm. All tissue sections were submitted and subjected to microscopic examination. The histological sections revealed a highly vascularized fibrous nodule (Figure 1B), foci of dystrophic calcification (Figure 1C), hemosiderin deposits (Figure1D) and a muscular tubular structure with a lumen lined by low columnar epithelium (hypoplastic vas deferens) (Figure 1E). No seminiferous tubule was identified, although a focus of hyalinized structure was noticed (Figure 1F).
 


DISCUSSION



  Testicular regression syndrome (also known as vanishing testis or called it the XY gonadal dysgenesis syndrome XY gonadal dysgenesis syndromecalled it the XY gonadal dysgenesis syndrome called it the XY gonadal dysgenesis syndrome) is characterized by unilateral or bilateral atrophy and disappearance of an initially existed testis in the fetal life, which may vary from normal male with unilateral non-palpable testis through a phenotypic male with a micro-penis to a phenotypic female. In most cases, uterus and fallopian tubes are absent but small tubular structures interpreted as mullerian or wolffian rudiments (or both) are present. The range of virilizing effects due to early testicular tissue extends from none in phenotypic females with only slightly hypoplastic normal external genitalia, well-formed but hypoplastic uterus, and well-formed tubes (De Marchi et al., 1981) to the anorchic phenotypic male (Edman et al., 1977). Most affected individuals lack a vagina but a urogenital sinus or pseudovaginal urethral outpouching is found. Partial labioscrotal fusion and clitoris enlargement are common, breast development is absent, and postpubertal eunuchoid habitus is the rule. Sometimes nongenital anomalies are present (summary by Rosenberg et al., 1984). In most cases, uterus and fallopian tubes are absent but small tubular structures interpreted as mullerian or wolffian rudiments (or both) are present. The range of virilizing effects due to early testicular tissue extends from none in phenotypic females with only slightly hypoplastic normal external genitalia, well-formed but hypoplastic uterus, and well-formed tubes (De Marchi et al., 1981) to the anorchic phenotypic male (Edman et al., 1977). Most affected individuals lack a vagina but a urogenital sinus or pseudovaginal urethral outpouching is found. Partial labioscrotal fusion and clitoris enlargement are common, breast development is absent, and postpubertal eunuchoid habitus is the rule. Sometimes nongenital anomalies are present The possible mechanism of this condition may be in-utero torsion or infarction of the testis (4). Depending on the time of testicular development arrest during intrauterine life, five subtypes have been documented; gonadal aplasia, early fetal testicular dysgenesis, early, mid and late testicular regression. The incidence of TRS has been estimated to be less than 5% in patients with cryptorchidism (7). Vanishing testis is more common than testicular agenesis in patients with unilateral non-palpable testis (8). In contrast, bilateral TRS is very rare (9) and a genetic predisposition to the intrauterine destruction of the testes, although not confirmed, cannot be ignored (10). Failure to discover the gonads at the time of exploration in cases with spermatic cord duct structures can happen if the gonad has undergone regression or when the surgeon fails to localize it. The pathologist can help in the management of these patients. Since 95% of testes are localized at or below the internal inguinal ring, a histopathological confirmation of the presence of spermatic cord and regressed testis on tissues removed at the primary inguinal exploration can reassure accurate diagnosis (11). In our case, the histopathological evaluation showed highly vascularized fibrous nodule with foci of dystrophic calcification, hemosiderin deposition and tubular structure with a lumen lined by low columnar epithelium (vas deferens). In line with these findings, Ali and Mathew mentioned that the diagnostic criteria for TRS require the presence of paratesticular structures in addition to fibrosis of testicular tissue (12).
 Smith et al. studied 77 cases of TRS and reported a dystrophic calcification and haemosiderin deposits with no evidence of viable testicular tissue, but with relatively normal spermatic cord elements (1). Bader et al. reported that the common histological criteria for diagnosis of TRS are the presence of a blind-ending vas deferens, mall fibrovascular nodule, calcification and hemosiderin (6). However, some studies have suggested the presence of blind-ending structures of the spermatic cord as a minimum criterion. In our case, no seminiferous tubule was identified although a focus of hyalinized structure was noticed. This finding is line with findings of the study by Ali and Mathew (12). Regarding the etiology of TRS, the theory of an ischemic event in early or late fetal life is the most accepted because findings such as fibrosis, dystrophic calcification and hemosiderin deposits corroborate this hypothesis (6). Theoretically, TRS increases the possibility of malignant changes within time and therefore removal of remnant tissue is a common practice to eliminate this risk (5). Thus far, only one case with intratubular germ cell neoplasm has been reported in the literature, a 9-year old boy with intratubular germ cell neoplasia in the testicular remnant, which signifies early malignant transformation (13). Some authors claim that the surgical fixation of contra lateral testis may reduce risk of testicular torsion, thus ensuring good chances of fertility (5). It is well-demonstrated that the loss or absence of testis can have negative psychological effects on adult men or children. Therefore, surgery for testicular prosthesis implantation is a good solution, providing similarity in the appearance, size and weight to the natural testis (14).



CONCLUSION



  When patient fulfills clinical and pathological criteria for TRS, we should consider the possibility of orchiopexy and testicular prosthesis implantation to decrease the risk of testicular torsion and negative psychological effects for the patient.


 
DECLARATIONS


Funding



Not applicable.



Ethics approvals and consent to participate



  Written informed consent was obtained from parents of the patient. All clinical investigations were conducted according to the principals of the Helsinki Declaration.


 
Conflict of interest



  The author declares that there is no conflict of interest regarding publication of this article.
 

Article Type: Research | Subject: Basic medical sciences

References
1. Smith NM, Byard RW, Bourne AJ. Testicular regression syndrome a pathological study of 77 cases, individuals with normal external genitalia. Histopathology 1991; 19:269-72. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
2. Diamond DA, and Caldamone AA. The value of laparoscopy for a 106 impalpable testis relative to clinical presentation. J Urol 1992; 148:632-634. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
3. Pirgon O, and Dundar BN. Vanishing testes: a literature review. J Clin Res Pediatric Endocrinol 2012; 4:116-120. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
4. Spires SE, Woolums CS, Pulito AR, Spires SM. Testicular regression syndrome. a clinical and pathologic study of 11 cases. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2000; 124:694-8. [View at Publisher] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
5. Nistal M, and Paniagua R. Non-neoplastic diseases of the testis. Urologic surgical pathology. 2nd ed. Mosby Elsevier; 2008. p632 5. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
6. Bader MI, Peeraully R, Ba'Ath M, McPartland J, Baillie C. The testicular regression syndrome, do remnants required routine excision? J Pediatr Surg 2011; 46:384-6. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
7. Kogan S, Hadziselimovic F, Howards SS, Synder HM III, Huff DS. Pediatric andrology. In: Adult and Pediatric Urology1996:2623-2674. [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
8. Merry C, Sweeney B, Puri P. The vanishing testis: anatomical and histological findings. Eur Urol1997; 31:65-67. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
9. Nishizawa S, Suzuki K, Tachikawa N,Nukui A, Kumamaru T, Shioji Y, et al. The vanishing testis: diagnosis and histological findings. Nihon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi 2000; 91:537-541. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
10. Ambulkar PS, Waghmare JE,Tarnekar AM, Shende MR, Ghosh SK,Pal AK. positive 46, XY male with vanishing testis syndrome, feminization and gynecomastia. [View at Publisher] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
11. Desai A, Verma R, ParabM. A Case of Testicular Regression Syndrome. The Internet Journal of Surgery 2008 [View at Publisher]
12. Desai A, Verma R, ParabM. A Case of Testicular Regression Syndrome. The Internet Journal of Surgery 2008 [View at Publisher]
13. Ali M S., Mathew M., Testicular Regression Syndrome: Useful Diagnostic Approach IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 17, Issue 1 Ver. 13 January. (2018), PP 07. [View at Publisher] [Google Scholar]
14. Rozanski T.A, Wojno K.J, Bloom D.A. The remnant orchiectomy. J Urol 1996; 155: 712-714. [View at Publisher] [DOI:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)66507-8] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
15. Bodiwala D, Summerton DJ, Terry TR. Testicular prosthesis: development and modern usage. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2007;89(4):349-53. [View at Publisher] [DOI:10.1308/003588407X183463] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

© 2024 CC BY-NC 4.0 | Journal of Clinical and Basic Research

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).