[MRT in nonpalpable testes]

Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 22 male patients for localisation of 27 nonpalpable undescended testes. The operative verification, carried out in 19 testes (15 patients) served as basis for checking on the accuracy of MRI results and for their comparison with those of sonography and laparoscopy. The impalpable testis was localised via MRI in 13 cases and its lack was correctly established in three cases. There were three false MRI diagnoses. The suspicion of two intraabdominal localised testes were not confirmed at surgery and one intracanalicular testes were not seen by MRI. The low signal intensity of the undescended testes on T2-weighted images is indicative for fibrotic changes and may be of value for more accurate planning of the operative volume. MRI offers a new promising opportunity for localisation and morphologic estimation of the undescended testis and should be performed before the invasive investigation methods.