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. 2016:2016:2729614.
doi: 10.1155/2016/2729614. Epub 2016 Jul 13.

A Unique Case of Intraabdominal Polyorchidism: A Case Study

Javier Otero  1 , Natalie Ben-Yakar  2 , Biruk Alemayehu  3 , Steven D Kozusko  1 , Frank Borao  1 , Thomas S Vates Iii  4
Affiliations

A Unique Case of Intraabdominal Polyorchidism: A Case Study

Javier Otero et al. Case Rep Urol. 2016.

Abstract

Background. Polyorchidism, alternatively supernumerary testes (SNT), is a condition where an individual is born with more than two testicles. This congenital anomaly is quite rare and the literature has described various presentations. Questions/Purposes. To our knowledge, this presentation of polyorchidism has yet to be described in the literature. The goal of this case study is to add to the pediatric, general, and urologic surgery's body of knowledge of the subject matter. Case Study. A nine-month-old boy was admitted for an impalpable right testis and phimosis. At the time of surgical exploration, there appeared to be polyorchid testis on the right-hand side, with three masses that potentially appeared to be undescended testes. Discussion. Proponents of a conservative approach argue that infertility is common in patients with polyorchidism and, by preserving a potentially functional SNT, there may be improved spermatogenesis. When performing definitive surgical treatment, meticulous intra-abdominal and intrainguinal exploration must be undertaken. Orchiopexy should be performed to reduce the chances of torsion, malignancy, and infertility. Conclusion. Our case is important to the literature as it is the first known case of polyorchidism with 3 SNT on the right side, located intra-abdominally, and in a patient less than 1 year of age.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors, their immediate family, and any research foundation with which they are affiliated did not receive any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this paper. All authors attest to the statements on this page. No financial biases exist for any author.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Testis with viable vas deferens noted just proximal to the right internal inguinal ring.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Testis located below peritoneal fold on the anterior abdominal wall with no visible associated vas deferens.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Testis in vicinity of liver (below), and testis on anterior abdominal wall.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Most developed testis with viable vas at level of internal ring and relationship to testis near liver. Note, the third SNT has already been excised but would be located along the anterior abdominal wall within the vicinity of the bowel grasper.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Histology confirmation of normally appearing testis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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