Testicular ectropion: important information

What is an ectropion? Who are the males most susceptible to infection? What are its causes? And how can it be treated? The most important information and details in this article.

Testicular ectropion: important information

In the following, let us learn about cryptorchidism and the most important information related to it:

What is an ectropion?

It is a condition that affects some male babies, in which one or both testicles remain suspended in the abdominal area instead of descending and settling in the scrotum.

The ectropion is more common in premature infants who are born prematurely, and the reason for this is often due to the fact that the testicles do not descend from the abdominal area to settle inside the scrotum until the pregnancy reaches the age of 32-36 weeks. migrate be larger.

It should be noted that the testicle may descend to settle in the scrotum naturally and without medical intervention during the first months of a child’s life.

But if this does not happen, the child may be required to undergo surgery to correct the defect at the earliest opportunity, as the ectopic testicle may negatively affect the child’s health if the child does not receive treatment in time.

In some cases, a child may not be born with an ectropion but may develop it later in the age group between 4-10 years, as the testicle may ascend from the scrotum to the abdominal region in a condition called acquired cryptorchidism.

This condition has several other common names, such as: undescended testicle, undescended testicle, and cryptorchidism.

Types of ectropion

There are two types of ectropion, which are as follows:

Palpable Cryptorchidism

In this case, the doctor can clearly trace and touch the ectopic testicle in the area of ​​the body where it settled, this type is the most common with about 70%.

Non-palpable Cryptorchidism

In this case, the doctor is unable to determine the location of the testicle by sight or by touch.

Symptoms of ectropion

The most obvious symptom of an ectopic condition is when a baby is born with a scrotum without one or both testicles.

In rare cases, the migratory testicle may be torsioned, which may cause severe pain in the affected pubic area, a condition that requires urgent medical intervention.

Causes and risk factors for ectropion

While the male fetus is in the womb, the testicles are formed in the abdominal area first before starting to descend gradually to eventually settle inside the scrotum approximately 1-2 months before the date of birth, a process that may be hindered by a factor, which may lead to the survival of one or both testicles in the abdominal area.

Although there is no clear cause for the abnormality, experts suggest that these factors may play a role in increasing the chances of a male child being born with an ectropion:

Premature birth, when a baby is born before 37 weeks in the womb.

The birth of a baby with low birth weight.

A baby is born with a body that is small for its age.

Genes and heredity.

Infection of the fetus in the womb with a disease or a health problem that slowed its physical development, such as: Down syndrome.

The mother chewing or smoking tobacco during pregnancy.

The fetus has a disease or a hormonal problem that has caused a defect in the formation and development of the testicle, such as Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome.

Diagnosis of ectropion

These are the procedures and medical examinations that are usually followed to diagnose an ectropion:

A physical exam to look closely at the scrotum and try to locate the missing testicle.

Magnetic resonance imaging with a contrast agent to determine the exact location of the ectropion in the abdominal or pubic region.

Other tests or other surgical procedures, such as: laparoscopy, open surgery in some rare cases, and genetic testing.

Testicular ectropion

After diagnosis, these are the remedial measures your doctor may suggest:

Orchidopexy surgery, which is the main treatment option for undescended testicles, with a success rate of 100%.

Laparoscopy, which is used if the location of the migratory testicle in the abdomen is not clear, through which the testicle is located and an attempt is made to return it to its correct position.

Hormone therapy stimulates the testicles to descend but is an uncommon option.

Complications

If the testicle does not descend to its normal position in the scrotum, this may cause a range of complications and health problems for the affected child, such as:

Infertility and fertility problems, especially if the condition affects the testicles, not just one testicle.

Bilateral inguinal hernia.

Testicular cancer.

torsion of the testicles;

Stress and psychological problems.

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