Cryptorchidism
BASICS
BASICS

BASICS
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
- Incomplete or improper descent of one or both testicles; also called undescended testes (UDT) (1)
- Normally descent is in month 7 to 8 of gestation. The cryptorchid testis may be palpable or nonpalpable.
- Can be congenital or acquired
- Types of cryptorchidism
- Prescrotal: at or above scrotal inlet
- Abdominal: testis located inside the internal inguinal ring
- Canalicular: testis located between the internal and external inguinal rings
- Ectopic: located outside the normal path of testicular descent; may be ectopic to perineum, femoral canal, superficial inguinal pouch (most common), suprapubic area, or opposite hemiscrotum
- Retractile: fully descended testis that moves freely between the scrotum and the groin
- Iatrogenic: Previously descended testis becomes undescended due to scar tissue after inguinal surgery.
- Also may be referred to as palpable versus nonpalpable (1)
- System(s) affected: reproductive
- Synonym(s): UDT
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Incidence
Incidence
Incidence
Predominant age: newborn, more common in premature newborns
Prevalence
Prevalence
Prevalence
- In the United States, cryptorchidism occurs in 1–3% of full-term and 15–30% of premature newborn males (2).
- Spontaneous testicular descent occurs by age 1 to 3 months in 50–70% of full-term males.
- Descent at 6 to 9 months of age is rare (1).
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- Not fully understood, may involve alterations in
- Mechanical factors (gubernaculum, length of vas deferens and testicular vessels, groin anatomy, epididymis, cremasteric muscles, and abdominal pressure), hormonal factors (gonadotropin, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and müllerian-inhibiting substance), and neural factors (ilioinguinal nerve and genitofemoral nerve)
- Insulin-like growth factor 3 (IGF-3) or androgen receptor gene (1)
- Environmental factors acting as endocrine disruptors
- Major regulators of testicular descent are the Leydig cell–derived hormones, testosterone, and IGF-3.
- Risk of ascent as high as 32% in retractile testis
Genetics
Genetics
Genetics
Increased risk of UDT in first-degree relatives suggests a genetic etiology.
RISK FACTORS
RISK FACTORS
RISK FACTORS
- Family history: highest risk if brother had UDT, followed by uncle and then father
- Low birth weight, prematurity, and small for gestational age (1)
- Retractile testes are at increased risk for ascent.
- Maternal smoking and diabetes during gestation
COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
- Anatomic anomalies: inguinal hernia/hydrocele, abnormalities of vas deferens and epididymis, hypospadias, meningomyelocele
- Endocrine disorders: intersex abnormalities, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, germinal cell aplasia
- Genetic disorders: Prune-belly syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, cystic fibrosis
- Wilms tumor
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSIS

DIAGNOSIS
HISTORY
HISTORY
HISTORY
≥1 testicles in a site other than the scrotum
PHYSICAL EXAM
PHYSICAL EXAM
PHYSICAL EXAM
- Performed with warm hands, with child in sitting, standing, and squatting position
- A Valsalva maneuver and applied pressure to lower abdomen may help to identify the testes, especially a gliding testis.
- Failure to palpate a testis after repeated exams suggests an intra-abdominal or atrophic testis.
- An enlarged contralateral testis in the presence of a nonpalpable testis suggests testicular atrophy/absence.
Testes should be palpated for quality and position at each recommended well-child visit (
1)[
B].
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
- Retractile testis (hypermobile testis): a normally descended testis that ascends into the inguinal canal because of an active cremasteric reflex (more common in males 4 to 6 years of age)
- Atrophic testis: may occur as a result of neonatal torsion
- Vanished testis may be the result of a lack of development or in utero torsion.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS & INTERPRETATION
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS & INTERPRETATION
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS & INTERPRETATION
Initial Tests (lab, imaging)
Initial Tests (lab, imaging)
Initial Tests (lab, imaging)
- If only single testis not palpable in an otherwise normal male, no need for lab tests or imaging
In phenotypic male newborn with bilateral, nonpalpable UDTs, hormone levels help determine whether the testes are ectopic or absent (
1)[
A].
- Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), MIS, testosterone, serum electrolytes, karyotype
- If bilateral nonpalpable testes presents at >3 months of age, evaluate for disorders of sexual development (3) and evaluate for congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Ultrasound or other imaging should not delay referral to a specialist, as they are rarely needed in decision-making (
1)[
B].
Follow-Up Tests & Special Considerations
Follow-Up Tests & Special Considerations
Follow-Up Tests & Special Considerations
In infants <6 months of age, periodic examination to determine if testis becomes palpable prior to further intervention (1)Pediatric Considerations
Without spontaneous testicular descent by 6 months (gestational age adjusted), infant should be referred to urology, and surgery should be performed within 1 year (
1)[
B].
In children with retractile testes, yearly examinations to rule out subsequent ascent (
1)[
B]
Diagnostic Procedures/Other
Diagnostic Procedures/Other
Diagnostic Procedures/Other
Laparoscopy can confirm presence or absence of testis when nonpalpable and determine the feasibility of performing a standard orchidopexy.
Test Interpretation
Test Interpretation
Test Interpretation
Higher incidence of carcinoma in UDT and alterations in spermatogenesis; histologic changes occur by 1.5 years of age (4).
TREATMENT
TREATMENT

TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
GENERAL MEASURES
GENERAL MEASURES
- Rule out retractile testis.
- American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines on cryptorchidism do not recommend use of hormonal therapy to induce testicular descent due to low response rate and lack of evidence for long-term efficacy (1).
MEDICATION
MEDICATION
MEDICATION
Medical therapy is not indicated in the United States per the AUA guidelines on cryptorchidism in 2014 (1).
ISSUES FOR REFERRAL
ISSUES FOR REFERRAL
ISSUES FOR REFERRAL
≥1 testes not descended by 6 months age (
1)[
B]
- Bilateral nonpalpable UDTs (1)
Newly diagnosed cryptorchidism after 6 months of age (
1)[
B]
SURGERY/OTHER PROCEDURES
SURGERY/OTHER PROCEDURES
SURGERY/OTHER PROCEDURES
- Benefits: avoids torsion, averts trauma, decreases but does not eliminate risk of malignancy, and prevents further alterations in spermatogenesis
If no spontaneous testicular descent by 6 months of age (gestational age adjusted), surgery should be performed within 1 year (
1)[
B].
- Prepubertal orchidopexy decreases risk of testicular cancer (1).
- Laparoscopy/abdominal exploration is performed first if testis is nonpalpable.
- If palpable, an inguinal approach is usually performed. If low-lying, a single-incision scrotal approach can also be considered but may increase the risk of hernia.
ONGOING CARE
ONGOING CARE

ONGOING CARE
FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS
FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS
FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS
- Initial follow-up within 1 month of surgery and periodically thereafter to assess testicular size/growth
Patients with retractile testes should be examined at least annually to monitor for secondary ascent until testis is no longer retractile (
1)[
B].
Patient Monitoring
Patient Monitoring
Patient Monitoring
- Patients should be followed after surgery to evaluate testicular growth.
- Testicular tumors occur mainly during or after puberty; thus, these children should be taught self-examination.
DIET
DIET
PATIENT EDUCATION
PATIENT EDUCATION
PATIENT EDUCATION
Discuss with parents about causes, treatments, patient’s reproductive potential, and increased risk for testicular cancer.
PROGNOSIS
PROGNOSIS
PROGNOSIS
- Disorder is usually corrected with surgical therapy; however, there are possible lifelong consequences.
- If testicle is absent or orchiectomy is required, may consider placement of testicular prosthesis.
- Early orchidopexy may decrease risk of testicular damage and risk of malignancy.
COMPLICATIONS
COMPLICATIONS
COMPLICATIONS
- Paternity rates are similar to the general population for men with a unilateral UDT; however, lower (33–65%) for men with bilateral UDT
- Abnormalities also have been identified in the contralateral descended testis, suggesting that unilateral cryptorchidism is a bilateral disease.
Authors
Authors
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
- Kolon TF, Herndon CDA, Baker LA, et al; for American Urological Association. Evaluation and treatment of cryptorchidism: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2014;192(2):337–345. [PMID:24857650]
- Sijstermans K, Hack WWM, Meijer RW, et al. The frequency of undescended testis from birth to adulthood: a review. Int J Androl. 2008;31(1):1–11. [PMID:17488243]
- Docimo SG, Silver RI, Cromie W. The undescended testicle: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2000;62(9):2037–2044, 2047–2048. [PMID:11087186]
- Park KH, Lee JH, Han JJ, et al. Histological evidences suggest recommending orchiopexy within the first year of life for children with unilateral inguinal cryptorchid testis. Int J Urol. 2007;14(7):616–621. [PMID:17645605]
ADDITIONAL READING
ADDITIONAL READING
ADDITIONAL READING
- Braga LH, Lorenzo AJ. Cryptorchidism: a practical review for all community healthcare providers. Can Urol Assoc J. 2017;11(1–2 Suppl 1):S26–S32. [PMID:28265313]
- Fantasia J, Aidlen J, Lathrop W, et al. Undescended testes: a clinical and surgical review. Urol Nurs. 2015;35(3):117–126. [PMID:26298946]
CODES
CODES

CODES
ICD10
ICD10
ICD10
- Q53.9 Undescended testicle, unspecified
- Q53.20 Undescended testicle, unspecified, bilateral
- Q53.10 Unspecified undescended testicle, unilateral
- Q53.11 Abdominal testis, unilateral
- Q53.21 Abdominal testis, bilateral
- Q53.22 Ectopic perineal testis, bilateral
- Q53.12 Ectopic perineal testis, unilateral
SNOMED
SNOMED
SNOMED
- 204878001 Undescended testicle (disorder)
- 268228006 Undescended testes - bilateral
- 431781000124107 Bilateral intra-abdominal testes (disorder)
- 438401000124104 Palpable undescended testicle (disorder)
CLINICAL PEARLS
CLINICAL PEARLS
CLINICAL PEARLS
- If testicular descent does not occur by 6 months of age, it is unlikely to occur. Refer to urologist at 6 months.
- Children with bilateral, nonpalpable UDTs require laboratory evaluation to determine if viable testicular tissue is present and to rule out disorder of sexual differentiation.
- Radiologic imaging has no role in the initial evaluation of cryptorchidism.
- The risk of infertility is increased with bilateral UDTs.
Last Updated: 2026
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