Intra-abdominal torsion of a non-neoplastic cryptorchid testis in an adult dog

ABSTRACT: Intra-abdominal or intrascrotal testicular torsion in dogs occurs due to spermatic cord rotation. Dogs with testicular torsion commonly present severe pain and require surgical intervention. Torsion of intra-abdominal retained testicles in cryptorchid adult dogs is often associated with the presence of testicular neoplasia. Herein, we reported the case of a 5-year-old male poodle with uncommon intra-abdominal testicular torsion (ITT) of a non-neoplastic testicle. The dog was referred to the veterinary hospital with acute abdominal pain in the hypogastric region. An intra-abdominal gonad and alterations compatible with testicular torsion were visualized during ultrasound examination. Orchiectomy and histopathological analysis of the testes confirmed the diagnosis of ITT in the absence of neoplasia. The patient recovered uneventfully from the situation. This report showed that ITT can occur in adult dogs in the absence of testicular neoplasia and reinforce the message that it should be included as a differential diagnosis in cases of acute abdominal pain in cryptorchid dogs. Furthermore, the ultrasound examination in this case of pain in the hypogastric region was decisive for the diagnosis of ITT.

摘要：犬腹腔内或阴囊内睾丸扭转（testicular torsion）由精索（spermatic cord）扭转引发。罹患睾丸扭转的犬通常表现为剧烈疼痛，需接受手术干预。成年隐睾（cryptorchid）犬的腹腔内滞留睾丸发生扭转时，常伴随睾丸肿瘤（testicular neoplasia）的发生。本文报告1例5岁雄性贵宾犬罕见的非肿瘤性腹腔内睾丸扭转（intra-abdominal testicular torsion, 简称ITT）。该犬因耻骨上区急性腹痛被转诊至动物医院。超声检查可见腹腔内性腺及与睾丸扭转相符的异常征象。实施睾丸切除术（orchiectomy）摘除病变睾丸，并对其进行组织病理学分析（histopathological analysis），最终证实该病例在无肿瘤病变的情况下确诊为ITT。该犬术后恢复顺利。本病例报告表明，无睾丸肿瘤的成年犬也可发生ITT，同时强调，在隐睾犬出现急性腹痛时，应将ITT纳入鉴别诊断（differential diagnosis）范畴。此外，针对该耻骨上区急性腹痛病例的超声检查，为ITT的确诊发挥了决定性作用。