Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ Key Features ++ One or both testes absent from the scrotum at birth Must be distinguished from retractile testes, which require no treatment +++ Clinical Findings ++ Found in 1–2% of males after 1 year of age Underlying hypogonadism, including hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, may be present Infertility or subfertility occurs in up to 75% of men with bilateral cryptorchism and in 50% of men with unilateral cryptorchism +++ Diagnosis ++ For a testis that is not palpable, it is important to locate the testis and bring it into the scrotum or prove its absence About one-third on nonpalpable testes are located within the inguinal canal, one-third are intra-abdominal, and one-third absent Ultrasound can detect an inguinal testis If ultrasound is negative, MRI is performed to locate the testis MRI is more reliable than ultrasound for locating cryptorchid testes +++ Treatment ++ Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 1500 units intramuscularly daily for 3 days, causes a significant rise in testosterone if the testes are present Results in a testicular descent rate of about 25% Surgical correction (orchiopexy) Should be performed by age 12–24 months and is generally successful Decreases the risk of neoplasia when performed before 10 years of age Orchiectomy after puberty is an option for intra-abdominal testes GET ACCESS TO THIS RESOURCE Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth Get Free Access Through Your Institution Contact your institution's library to ask if they subscribe to McGraw-Hill Medical Products. Access My Subscription GET ACCESS TO THIS RESOURCE Subscription Options Pay Per View Timed Access to all of AccessMedicine 24 Hour $34.95 (USD) Buy Now 48 Hour $54.95 (USD) Buy Now Best Value AccessMedicine Full Site: One-Year Individual Subscription $995 USD Buy Now View All Subscription Options