Cystic Crypt Changes in Midgestational Human Vermiform Appendix: An Unrecognized Transient Histologic Feature.

Introduction: Lewis and Huff briefly described the presence of "microcystic cryptitis" in some of fetal vermiform appendices (VA) at autopsy. We further characterized these crypt changes (CC), their timing of occurrence, and tested their association with infection/inflammatory conditions.

Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of 345 VA were evaluated for the presence or absence of CC and their different morphologies.

Cryptorchid testis histopathology in myelomeningocele patients.

Purpose: Cryptorchidism occurs in 25% of boys with myelomeningocele (MMC) compared to 3% of the general population. Testicular biopsy histopathology correlates with future sperm counts. We studied testicular histology in boys with cryptorchidism and MMC to investigate if the MMC influences histological findings.

Testicular microlithiasis and antisperm antibodies following testicular biopsy in boys with cryptorchidism.

Purpose: Testicular biopsy (TBx) performed during orchiopexy in boys with cryptorchidism can help to predict future semen analyses and possibly identify patients at risk for testicular cancer. It has been theorized that TBx can be detrimental to the long-term health of the testis. We examined testicular microlithiasis (TM) and antisperm antibody (ASA) production in cryptorchid TBx.

Tracheal anomalies in Pfeiffer syndrome.

Objective: To determine the types and frequency of airway anomalies in patients with Pfeiffer syndrome.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Academic tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Prepubertal testis tumors: actual prevalence rate of histological types.

Purpose: Tumor registries, urological textbooks and literature surveys all assert that yolk sac tumors are the most common primary testicular tumors in boys 12 years and younger. In contrast, several individual institutions have reported that benign tumors are more common than malignant tumors. To clarify these discordant findings, we surveyed the primary pathology records from 4 major pediatric centers.

Cryptorchidism: diagnosis, treatment, and long-term prognosis.

Cryptorchidism is a common anomaly treated by every pediatric urologist. The etiology is multifactorial and includes hormonal and molecular factors. Diagnostic abilities may be enhanced by radiologic advances.

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor of the testis:: contemporary clinical management and pathological diagnosis.

Purpose: Juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) of the testis is a rarely diagnosed subset of testicular stromal tumors. Although this variant of testicular stromal tumor is predominantly a benign entity in prepubertal patients, limited experience precludes a complete understanding of its clinical presentation and pathological diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed all cases of testicular tumors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 1976 and 2002 in males younger than 18 years.

Experience with testis sparing surgery for testicular teratoma.

Purpose: Testicular teratoma is a rare neoplasm affecting the pediatric population and has classically been reported to be the second most common testis tumor in children behind yolk sac tumors. Testicular teratomas are benign and partial orchiectomy may be considered. We describe our single institution experience with testicular teratoma and definitive treatment with testis preserving surgery.

Craniosynostosis with tracheal sleeve: a patient with Pfeiffer syndrome, tracheal sleeve and additional malformations in whom an FGFR2 mutation was found.

We discuss a patient with Pfeiffer syndrome who had a tracheal sleeve and an FGFR2 mutation. In the light of our findings, and previous reports of patients with craniosynostosis that also reported similar mutations, we suggest that genomic screening for FGFR2 may be useful in cases with negative FGFR2 mutation testing.

Testis histopathology in boys with cryptorchidism correlates with future fertility potential.

Purpose: We studied the ability of testis biopsy to predict eventual fertility potential.

Materials And Methods: A total of 25 patients with unilateral undescended testis and 11 with bilateral undescended testes who previously underwent orchiopexy at a median age of 9 years were followed until after age 18 years. Semen analysis, testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and inhibin B were compared to previously obtained biopsies of each testis.

The ascending testis and the testis undescended since birth share the same histopathology.

Purpose: The etiology of the ascending testis is controversial. We propose that ascending testis, defined as a testis previously thought to be descended and later noted to be out of the scrotum, is due to mild hypogonadotropic hypogonadism affecting both testes. The diagnosis of these low types of true undescended testes is difficult to make clinically in children since they are frequently confused with retractile testes.