[Sonographic scanning of the non-descended testes]

More active treatment of boys with non-descended testes increases the demand for methods to identify and localize the retained testes. Sonography is non-invasive and is now in common use, but experience with the method is still limited. A retrospective series of 112 examinations, performed in 88 boys, aged 2-16 years, is presented. The indications were uncertainly palpable or non-palpable testes. The results of sonography could be compared with the findings at surgery in 62 instances, 17 testes subsequently descended or were controlled, while 33 examinations were without further verification. Fiftythree testicles were identified at operation, and 50 demonstrated by sonography with a good correlation according to anatomic localization. The suprafascial, everted position was not specified. Abdominal retention was, contrary to previous reports, diagnosed in 86%, when present. Surgery revealed aplasia in nine instances, corresponding to the results of sonography in eight. At a pre-operative control-sonography one false positive examination was corrected, and false sonographic diagnoses of aplasia at the first examination in eight instances were reduced to three at preoperative sonographic control. In the group of subsequently descended testicles the result of sonography was considered to be consistent with this cause. It is concluded, that sonography, performed on the indications of uncertainly palpable or non-palpable testes, is of value, since demonstration of a testicle is an accurate diagnosis, and furthermore a correct anatomical localization including abdominal lodging will most often be possible. A single negative ultrasound examination, especially in small boys, should be controlled.