October - December 2009, Volume 5, Issue 4

Valea A, Muntean V, Domsa I, Zaharia R, Roman C, Moisiuc P, Duncea I

Bilateral anorchia

Acta Endo (Buc) 2009, 5 (4): 519-524
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2009.519

Anorchia is a syndrome characterized by unilateral or bilateral absence of testicular tissue.\r\nAt puberty, growth and development are normal but secondary sexual development fails to\r\noccur if anorchia is bilateral.\r\nWe present the case of a 21 year-old male with a late diagnosis of bilateral anorchia. The\r\ndiagnosis was suggested by a bilateral empty scrotum, in a patient with male phenotype and\r\npoor secondary sexual development and established by karyotype analysis, hormonal profile\r\nand surgical exploration. The lack of testosterone response to hCG stimulation is the hormonal\r\nhallmark of bilateral congenital anorchia. In the absence of any information about germinal cell\r\npresence, bilateral excision of the testicular nubbins, implantation of testicular prostheses and\r\nhormonal replacement therapy were indicated.

Keywords: bilateral anorchia, bilateral cryptorchidism.

Correspondence: Ana Valea, M.D., Endocrinology Clinic, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of\r\nMedicine and Pharmacy, Pasteur Street No 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Phone: +40-722957483,\r\nE-mail: ana74us@yahoo.com