Irreducible inguinal hernia due to crossed testicular ectopia in an infant

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Urology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Crossed testicular ectopia (CTE) is a rare congenital condition where both testes are found in the same hemiscrotum.
• Typically, CTE presents with an inguinal hernia and an absent testis on the contralateral side.

Observation:

• This report details a 10-month-old infant with CTE presenting as an irreducible inguinal hernia, necessitating emergency surgery.
• During surgical repair, a normally formed testis was discovered within the hernial sac, along with its vascular supply and vas deferens.

Findings:

• The infant underwent herniotomy and fixation of the ectopic testis to the contralateral hemiscrotum.
• Postoperative follow-up at 1 year showed the child remained asymptomatic, indicating successful management.

Implications:

• This case highlights that irreducible inguinal hernia in infancy can be a presentation of CTE.
• Prompt surgical diagnosis and management are vital for favorable outcomes in such pediatric cases.