Undescended Testicle

Alternate Names : Cryptorchidism

How is the condition diagnosed?

Careful and gentle physical examination of the child can usually diagnose this condition. A urologist, or doctor who specializes in treatment of conditions of the kidney, bladder and genitals, is usually consulted. If both testes are unable to be felt with the hand, hormone levels are checked to make sure the child has testicles. Other conditions that can cause an inability to feel the testicle must be ruled out. For example, some testicles occasionally move up into the abdomen but are usually in the normal location. X-ray tests are sometimes used to locate the testes. Currently, most urologists use laparoscopy to locate the testicles and guide further therapy. During this procedure, a narrow telescope is placed into the abdomen to search for the testicles.