[Undescended testis treated by intranasal application of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH)]

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 118 boys, aged 2-12 years, with 161 undescended testes were treated with luteinising-hormone releasing-hormone (LH-RH), 1.2 mg daily intranasally for four weeks. According to randomization, 60 boys with 85 undescended testes received LH-RH and 58 boys with 76 undescended testes received the placebo. 17 testes (20%) in 12 boys (20%) descended in the LH-RH group and 2 testes (3%) in 2 boys (3%) descended in the placebo group. This difference is statistically significant (chi 2, 0.01 greater than p greater than 0.001). A second LH-RH course, offered three months later to the boys who did not respond to the first LH-RH course, increased the success rate to 35%. The primary location of the testis was a significant factor for the effect of treatment. The highest success rate (63%) was registered in testes located in a high scrotal position. There was no significant difference in success of treatment between unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism, nor between age groups. No serious adverse effects of treatment were noted. It is concluded, that LH-RH administered intranasally can be used in the treatment of boys with unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism.