Polyorchidism is the incidence of more than two testicles. It is a very rare congenital disorder, with fewer than 200 cases reported in medical literature and six cases (two horses, two dogs and two cats) in veterinary literature.
Polyorchidism is generally diagnosed via an ultrasound examination of the testicles. However, the diagnosis of polyorchidism should include histological confirmation. The most common form is triorchidism, or tritestes, where three testicles are present. The condition is usually asymptomatic. A man who has polyorchidism is known as a polyorchid.
Classification
Polyorchidism occurs in two primary forms: Type A and Type B. between connected and disconnected testicles:
- Type 1: The supernumerary testicle lacks an epididymis and vas deferens and has no connection to the other testicles.
- Type 2: The supernumerary testicle shares the epididymis and the vas deferens of the other testicles.
- Type 3: The supernumerary testicle has its own epididymis and shares a vas deferens.
- Type 4: Complete duplication of the testicle, epididymis and vas deferens.
Cause
Complications
Most cases of polyorchidism are asymptomatic, and are discovered incidentally, in the course of treating another condition. In the majority of cases, the supernumerary testicle is found in the scrotum. However, it is not clear whether polyorchidism causes or aggravates these conditions, or whether the existence of these conditions leads sufferers to seek medical attention and thus become diagnosed with a previously undetected supernumerary testicle.
Management
Because polyorchidism is very uncommon, there is no standard treatment for the condition. Prior to advances in ultrasound technology, it was common practice to remove the supernumerary testicle.