Testicular Regression Syndrome
Larissa V. Furtado, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
Vanishing testes syndrome
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Result from atrophy and disappearance in fetal life of an initially normal testis
Clinical Issues
Affects ˜ 5% of patients with cryptorchidism
Relatively common entity
1 male per 1,250 may be affected
Congenital
Diagnostic Checklist
Fibrovascular nodule with associated hemosiderin-laden macrophages and dystrophic calcification is the most characteristic histological finding
 Characteristic pathologic features of testicular regression syndrome include vascularized fibroconnective tissue with hemosiderin-laden macrophages  . Seminiferous tubules are rarely identified. |
 Testicular regression syndrome shows a fibrovascular nodule with foci of dystrophic calcification  . These findings suggest the role of remote vascular compromise in the etiology of this entity. |
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
Testicular regression syndrome (TRS)
Synonyms
Embryonic testicular regression syndrome
Vanishing testes syndrome
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Etiology
Unknown
Result from atrophy and disappearance in fetal life of an initially normal testis
Thought to be the result of intrauterine or perinatal vascular compromise
Genetics
TRS has been associated with microdeletion of Y chromosome
No association between genetic factors necessary for normal testicular descent and TRS has been identified
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