[Ultrasonographic diagnosis of polyorchidism]

In a 13-year-old boy echographic investigation of the scrotum was carried out because spermatocele was suspected. On the right side an extra testicle was observed. Polyorchism is a rare anomaly with, as far as we know, 74 cases reported in the literature. It may result from transverse splitting of the urogenital ridge in the 4th till the 6th week of the embryonal phase. The accompanying disorders include inguinal hernia, cryptorchism and torsion. Malignancy in the extra testicle has been reported in 4 cases only. In the absence of any accompanying disorder and if testicular tumor can be ruled out by ultrasonography, there is no need for surgical exploration.