SONOGRAPHIC FINDING OF UNDESCENDED TESTES IN FETUSES AT 35-40 WEEKS -SIGNIFICANCE AND OUTCOME

Purpose. We evaluated the outcome of fetuses with prenatally diagnosed undescended testes at 35 weeks or more of gestation. Methods. We iden tified the fetuses in our database in whom undescended testes were ide ntified sonographically in the last month of pregnancy and for whom ou tcome information could be obtained. Associated sonographic abnormalit ies were tabulated from the original reports. Outcomes were obtained t hrough reviews of the pediatric medical records and pathology reports. Results. Six fetuses in 5 patients (1 had twins) were identified as h aving an empty scrotum at 35 weeks or later. In 3 fetuses, this findin g was the only prenatal sonographic abnormality. One of these fetuses had isolated undescended testes at birth; the twins were found at birt h to be females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and severe masculi nization of the genitals. The other 3 fetuses had other malformations seen prenatally, including omphalocele and macroglossia (Beckwith-Wied emann syndrome), a left diaphragmatic hernia, and multiple congenital abnormalities. Conclusions. Although the finding of undescended testes in late gestation may be noted in an otherwise normal fetus, it may a lso be associated with a potential risk far perinatal problems ranging from severe multiple congenital abnormalities to incorrect sex assign ment due to masculinization of female genitalia. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.