Abordaje del recién nacido con alteraciones del desarrollo sexual / Newborn approach with disorders of sexual development

Resumen Introducción: Las alteraciones del desarrollo sexual en el recién nacido no es una condición infrecuente durante la práctica médica pero sí resulta ser un reto tanto en el abordaje diagnostico como en el terapéutico. Se definen como el conjunto de condiciones en donde el desarrollo del sexo cromosómico, gonadal o anatómico es atípico. Objetivos: Realizar un abordaje integral de las alteraciones del desarrollo sexual y reconocer la importancia de los equipos transdisciplinarios para el manejo de esta patología. Metodología: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura con las palabras clave Disorders of sex development, Ovotesticular disorders of sex development, True Hermaphroditism, Gonadal dysgenesis, Adrenal hyperplasia, congenital en cinco bases de datos bibliográficas, se limitó la búsqueda para artículos en idioma español o inglés de los últimos 10 años. Resultados: Se obtuvieron110 artículos de los cuales 36 fueron incluidos en esta revisión, los artículos revisados eran artículos originales, presentación de casos, consensos y artículos de revisión. Conclusiones: La sensibilización al personal de salud sobre esta condición es fundamental para realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno, con el objetivo de evitar complicaciones en la salud del recién nacido. La asignación del sexo es uno de los problemas más relevantes para el manejo de esta patología; esta decisión deberá ser tomada por el equipo transdisciplinario de especialistas con experiencia en el tema en donde se realice una evaluación detallada e individual de cada caso.

Abstract Introduction: Disorder of sexual development in newborn is not an infrequent condition during medical practice, but it does prove to be a challenge both in diagnostic and in therapeutic approaches. It is defined as the set of conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex is atypical. Objectives: To carry out a comprehensive approach to sexual development alterations and to recognize the importance of transdisciplinary teams for the management of this pathology. Methodology: A search of review literature was made with the key words Disorders of sex development, Ovotesticular disorders of sex development, true hermaphroditism, gonadal dysgenesis, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia in five biomedical databases. The search has been limited to Spanish or English language articles of the last 10 years. Results: 110 articles were reviewed, of which 36 were included, they were original articles, case presentations, consensus and review articles. Conclusions: In order to avoid complications in newborn, health personnel should be sensitized, regarding this condition is essential to timely diagnosis and treatment. Assignment of sex is one of the most relevant problems for the management of this condition; this decision must be made by a transdisciplinary team of specialists with experience in the subject where a detailed and individual evaluation of each case is carried out.

Análisis clínico y citogenético de un caso de trastorno del desarrollo sexual testicular XX con SRY negativo / Clinical and Cytogenetic Analysis of a Case of SRY-Negative XX Testicular Disorder of Sex Development / Análise clínica e citogenética de um caso de transtorno do desenvolvimento sexual testicular XX com SRY-negativo

Resumen: El trastorno del desarrollo sexual (TDS) testicular XX es una patología que se presenta en un individuo con cariotipo 46,XX con un fenotipo anatómico de genitales externos masculinos, que pueden variar desde la normalidad hasta la ambigüedad genital. Clínicamente se han descrito dos subgrupos de hombres 46,XX con SRY-negativos y SRY-positivos, dependiendo de la presencia o no del gen SRY que normalmente se encuentra en el cromosoma Y participando en la determinación testicular. En este artículo se describen los antecedentes personales y los hallazgos clínicos de un infante con anomalías del meato urinario en el cual se identificó un complemento cromosómico 46,XX. También, se realizó hibridación in situ fluorescente en linfocitos de sangre periférica que demostró la ausencia del gen SRY y confirmó la presencia de dos cromosomas X.

Abstract XX testicular disorder of sex development (DSD) is a pathology that occurs in an individual with a 46,XX karyotype and an anatomical phenotype of male external genitalia, which may vary from normal to ambiguous. Clinically, two subgroups of SRY-negative and SRY-positive, 46, XX men have been described, depending on the presence of the SRY gene that is normally found on the Y chromosome participating in testicular determination. This article describes the personal history and clinical findings of an infant with urethral meatus abnormalities in whom a 46,XX chromosome set was identified. Also, fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed in peripheral blood lymphocytes which demonstrated the absence of the SRY gene and confirmed the presence of two X chromosomes.

Resumo: O transtorno do desenvolvimento sexual (TDS) testicular XX é uma patologia apresentada em um indivíduo com cariótipo 46,XX com um fenótipo anatômico de genitais externos masculinos, que podem variar da normalidade à ambiguidade genital. Clinicamente, são descritos dois subgrupos de homens 46,XX com SRY-negativos e SRY-positivos, dependendo da presença ou não do gene SRY que normalmente se encontra em Y cromossomo participando da determinação testicular. Neste artigo, são descritos os antecedentes pessoais e os achados clínicos de uma criança com anomalias de meato urinário em que foi identificado um complemento cromossômico 46,XX. Além disso, foi rea -lizada hibridação in situ fluorescente em linfócitos de sangue periférico que demonstrou a ausência do gene SRY e confirmou a presença de dois cromossomos X.

True Hermaphroditism and Cystic Teratoma in an Adult / Hermafroditismo real y teratoma cístico en un adulto

The authors present the case of a patient with a 46, XX ovotesticular disorder of sex development diagnosed only in adulthood.[1] Cases like this one always result in a challenge for the treating team, as all treatment needs to be individualized. Since the 2005 Chicago consensus for disorders of sex development (DSD), the importance of a standardized terminology has become of significant relevance.[2] From an academic point of view, using the same technical terminology reduces confusion and helps the compilation of data for future studies. Authors fail to use standard terminology despite having the consensus as a reference. The frequency of these conditions makes management very challenging, and it is important to have specialized transdisciplinary teams, as this may improve the quality of care for these patients.[3] [4] [5] The authors present the chronological management for this patient, and it would be interesting to know the evolution and support given to the patient, from a psychosocial perspective, after surgery.[6] It would also be interesting to include in the discussion the rationale for the second laparotomy and how this was discussed with the patient.

Pubertal outcomes and sex of rearing of patients with ovotesticular disorder of sex development and mixed gonadal dysgenesis

PURPOSE: Patients with ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) usually present with asymmetric gonads and have wide phenotypic variations in internal and external genitalia. The differential diagnosis of these conditions is based on karyotype and pathological findings of the gonads. This study investigated the clinical features at presentation, karyotype, sex of rearing, and pubertal outcomes of patients with ovotesticular DSD and MGD.METHODS: The study comprised 23 patients with DSD who presented with asymmetric gonads. The presenting features, karyotype, sex of rearing, and pubertal outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.RESULTS: All 23 patients presented with ambiguous genitalia at a median age of 1 month (range, 1 day–1.6 years). Müllerian duct remnants were identified in 15 of 23 patients (65.2%). Fourteen patients were diagnosed with ovotesticular DSD, whereas the other 9 were diagnosed with MGD. Eight of 14 patients (57.1%) with ovotesticular DSD were raised as males, while 7 of 9 patients with MGD (77.8%) were assigned as males. One male-assigned patient with ovotesticular DSD changed to female sex at age 20 years.CONCLUSION: Patients with ovotesticular DSD and MGD manifest overlapping clinical presentations and hormonal profiles. It is difficult to determine the sex of rearing and predict long-term pubertal outcomes. Therefore, long-term follow-up is required to monitor spontaneous puberty, sex outcome, and urological and gynecological complications.

Síndrome de persistencia de los conductos mullerianos: una rara entidad que debe ser conocida / Persistent Müllerian Duct Symdrome: a rare anomaly that must be known

Introducción: El síndrome de persistencia de los conductos müllerianos es un raro trastorno de la diferenciación sexual con menos de 300 casos publicados, que se caracteriza por la presencia en la persona afectada de ambos sistemas reproductores masculino y femenino. Un varón con cariotipo XY fenotípicamente masculino en quien el conducto de Müller (útero, trompas, 2/3 superior de la vagi-na) no sufrió regresión. Caso clínico: Masculino de 14 meses de edad ingresado en el Hospital de Especialidades del Seguro Social para laparoscopía diagnostica por criptorquidia bilateral con testículos no palpables y pene normal. En la laparoscopía se identiicó trompas, útero y 2/3 superior de la vagina. Además, se tomó biopsia de ambas gónadas que conirmó presencia de tejido testicular normal para la edad. Con estos datos se programa para orquidopexia bilateral más histerectomía, colpectomía y salpingectomía bilateral. Es controlado en consulta externa de endocrinología y cirugía con evolución normal. Conclusiones: El síndrome de persistencia de los conductos mül-lerianos es muy raro debe sospecharse en masculinos con criptorquidia bilateral con testículos no palpables y pene normal. El abordaje inicial debe ser laparoscopía diagnóstica con toma de biopsia de ambas gónadas y luego en la segunda intervención ya con el reporte de patología proceder a la orquidopexia bilateral más la remoción de los elementos del conducto de Müller...(AU)

Hiperplasia adrenal congénita. Presentación de caso / Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Case presentation

Fundamento: La hiperplasia adrenal congénita es el desorden adrenal más común en niños, causa frecuente de seudohermafroditismo femenino y de ambigüedad sexual. La deficiencia de la enzima 21 hidroxilasa es la causa más común, ocurre entre un 90 y 95 % de los casos. La incidencia de la enfermedad es de 1:14 000 nacimientos. La determinación de hormona 17 hidroxiprogesterona al quinto día de nacido, facilita el diagnóstico y el adecuado tratamiento. Presentación de caso: Se describe el diagnóstico de un recién nacido femenino, de nueve días, con antecedentes prenatales de alto riesgo obstétrico, sin manifestaciones clínicas de pérdida adrenal, al examen físico discreto grado de virilización (moderada hipertrofia del clítoris) y niveles elevados de 17 hidroxiprogesterona, al cual se le realizó confirmatorio de 17 hidroxiprogesterona en suero a los nueve días, resultó positivo y ante los antecedentes prenatales, se decidió su diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno. Conclusiones: Se realizó el diagnóstico de una hiperplasia adrenal congénita, en recién nacido femenino de nueve días, se brindó asesoría a sus familiares, se indicó tratamiento médico con hidrocortisona y fluorhidrocortizona, se le siguió por consulta del programa de hiperplasia adrenal congénita y se realizó estudio molecular para precisar déficit enzimático.

Background: Adrenal hyperplasia, congenital is the most common adrenal disorder in children, a frequent cause of femenine pseudohermaphroditism and sexual ambiguity. The deficiency of the 21 hydroxylase enzyme is the most common cause, occurs between 90 and 95 % of the cases. The incidence of the disease is at about 1:14 000 births. The determination of hormone 17 hydroxyprogesterone on the fifth day of birth facilitates diagnosis and adequate treatment. Case report: We describe the diagnosis of a 9 days old femenine infant with a prenatal history of high obstetric risk, with no clinical manifestations of adrenal loss, a discrete physical examination of virilization (moderate clitoris hypertrophy) and elevated levels of 17 hydroxyprogesterone, which was confirmed with serum hydroxyprogesterone at 9 days, was positive and before the prenatal history, the diagnosis and timely treatment was decided. Conclusion: Adrenal hyperplasia, congenital was diagnosed in a 9-day-old femenine newborn, counseling was given to her relatives, medical treatment with hydrocortisone and fluorhydrocortisone was indicated, followed by consult with the adrenal hyperplasia, congenital program and molecular study was made to determine enzymatic deficit.

Anomalias do desenvolvimento sexual / Abnormalities of sexual development

As anormalidades da diferenciação sexual são infrequentes na prática clínica. A caracterização de uma ampla variedade de síndromes tem sido muitas vezes confusa, necessitando, com relativa frequência, a consulta de múltiplos livros e uso constante de referências para uma correta compreensão. O presente artigo tem a proposta de revisar as entidades mais frequentes, seus métodos diagnósticos e sua conveniente orientação.(AU)

Abnormal sexual differentiation is not frequently seen in an individual clinician's practice. The categories of many syndromes in this area require special and constant references to review many papers and books to understand these abnormalities. In this paper, the most frequent syndromes are described, and their diagnostic methods and proposals for correct orientation are provided.(AU)

Diagnosis and treatment of ovotesticular disorder of sex development: A report of 2 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT-DSD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 2 cases of OT-DSD treated in our hospital. The patients were 19 and 15 years old, respectively, and both received systematic physical examination and examinations of the karyotype, sex hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), color Doppler ultrasonography, urethrocystoscopy, and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test. Under the laparoscope, we performed surgical gonad exploration, gonadectomy, and vulvar orthopedics. Intraoperative exploration and pathology confirmed true hermaphroditism in both cases, with sex selection as female. One underwent laparoscopic resection of the ovotestis, and the other removal of the testis with the ovarian tissue reserved.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively, which found no abnormality in either the vulvas or the genital glands.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Surgical exploration of the gonad is the only method for the diagnosis of OT-DSD and sex selection is the key to treatment. Laparoscopic surgical exploration of the gonad and vulvar orthopedics are the first treatment options.</p>

A case of ovotesticular disorder of sexual development (45 XO/46 XY: Mosaicism versus chimerism) / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT-DSD), previously known as true hermaphrodite, is a rare disorder of sexual differentiation in which the gonads of an individual are characterized by the presence of both mature ovarian and testicular tissues. The diagnosis has traditionally been applied only if an individual has 1) histologically verified ovarian follicles or proof of their prior existence (e.g. corpora albicantia) and 2) seminiferous tubules or spermatozoa. This paper introduces you to a 14 year-old, who presented with primary amenorrhea and enlarging abdominal mass, underwent exploratory laparotomy, salphingooophorectomy, histologically diagnosed as a possible case of a true hermaphrodite and chromosomally diagnosed as 45XO/46XY who developed endodermal sinus tumor, a germ cell tumor, considered highly malignant.

Clinicopathological characterization of true hermaphroditism complicated with seminoma and review of the literature / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathological characteristics and diagnosis of true hermaphroditism complicated with seminoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of a case of true hermaphroditism complicated with seminoma and reviewed the related literature.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patient was a 42-year-old male, admitted for bilateral lower back pain and discomfort. CT showed a huge mass in the lower middle abdomen. Gross pathological examination revealed a mass of uterine tissue, 7 cm x 2 cm x 6 cm in size, with bilateral oviducts and ovarian tissue. There was a cryptorchidism (4.0 cm x 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm) on the left and a huge tumor (22 cm x9 cm x6 cm) on the right of the uterine tissue. The tumor was completely encapsulated, with some testicular tissue. Microscopically, the tumor tissue was arranged in nests or sheets divided and surrounded by fibrous tissue. The tumor cells were large, with abundant and transparent cytoplasm, deeply stained nuclei, coarse granular chromatins, visible mitosis, and infiltration of a small number of lymphocytes in the stroma. The karyotype was 46, XX. Immunohistochemistry showed that PLAP and CD117 were positive, while the AFP, Vimentin, EMA, S100, CK-LMW, Desmin, CD34 and CD30 were negative, and Ki-67 was 20% positive. A small amount of residual normal testicular tissue was seen in the tumor tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>True hermaphroditism complicated with seminoma is rare. Histopathological analysis combined with immunohistochemical detection is of great value for its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.</p>

SRY-positive 78, XY ovotesticular disorder of sex development in a wolf cloned by nuclear transfer

Recently, we reported the three wolves cloning with normal karyotype from somatic cells of endangered male gray wolves (Canis lupus), but one wolf had female external genitalia. In this study, we conducted further clinical, histological, and genetic analyses. This cloned wolf had a normal uterus but developed ovotestis. Through molecular analysis of the SRY gene, a mutation in the coding sequence of SRY gene could be excluded as a cause of intersexuality. This is the first report of a cloned wolf with a 78, XY ovotesticular disorder affecting sexual development characterized by bilateral ovotestes.

Differential Diagnosis of Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) by Molecular Genetic Analyses

Sex determination and differentiation require the balanced and sequential activation of transcription factors, signaling molecules, hormones and their receptors. Disorders of sex development (DSD) have heterogeneous groups of etiologies caused by mutations or deletions of genes involved in sex development. The DSD is categorized into 46, XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, sex chromosome DSD, ovotesticular DSD, and 46,XX testicular DSD. Precise diagnosis is essential for sex assignment, surgical correction of external genitalia, prevention of gonadal tumors, psychiatric support, and genetic counseling. The increased genetic knowledge in the field has opened up new diagnostic possibilities. The first line genetic testing for DSD is the assessment of the karyotype and the SRY gene. The follow-up genetic tests are performed for confirmatory diagnosis; the evaluation of copy number variants by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), direct sequencing of a specific gene, and functional analyses of mutations. A lot of genes can be analyzed by molecular laboratories and the number of available genes is growing. DNA analyses should be done under clinical assessment on the basis of family history, prenatal history, physical findings focused on external genitalia, endocrinologic data, and radiologic findings. Genetic counseling is essential to help patients and their families understand the disease status and the risk for recurrence in future pregnancies, and participate in the process of sex assignment. Children with DSD should be managed with a multidisciplinary team, including pediatric endocrinology, molecular genetics, cytogenetics, neonatology, urology, and psychiatry.

Differential Diagnosis of Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) by Molecular Genetic Analyses

Sex determination and differentiation require the balanced and sequential activation of transcription factors, signaling molecules, hormones and their receptors. Disorders of sex development (DSD) have heterogeneous groups of etiologies caused by mutations or deletions of genes involved in sex development. The DSD is categorized into 46, XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, sex chromosome DSD, ovotesticular DSD, and 46,XX testicular DSD. Precise diagnosis is essential for sex assignment, surgical correction of external genitalia, prevention of gonadal tumors, psychiatric support, and genetic counseling. The increased genetic knowledge in the field has opened up new diagnostic possibilities. The first line genetic testing for DSD is the assessment of the karyotype and the SRY gene. The follow-up genetic tests are performed for confirmatory diagnosis; the evaluation of copy number variants by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), direct sequencing of a specific gene, and functional analyses of mutations. A lot of genes can be analyzed by molecular laboratories and the number of available genes is growing. DNA analyses should be done under clinical assessment on the basis of family history, prenatal history, physical findings focused on external genitalia, endocrinologic data, and radiologic findings. Genetic counseling is essential to help patients and their families understand the disease status and the risk for recurrence in future pregnancies, and participate in the process of sex assignment. Children with DSD should be managed with a multidisciplinary team, including pediatric endocrinology, molecular genetics, cytogenetics, neonatology, urology, and psychiatry.

Gonadectomía bilateral e histerosgalpingectomía laparoscópica en un adolescente con desorden de desarrollo sexual ovotesticular: reporte de caso / Bilateral gonadectomy and laparoscopic hysterosalpingectomy in an adolescent with ovotesticular disorder of sexual development: case Report

Los desórdenes de desarrollo sexual hacen referencia a niños cuyos genitales al nacer presentan características de ambos sexos o aquellos que, teniendo un fenotipo normal, presentan alteraciones del desarrollo en la pubertad o adolescencia. Estos desórdenes representan un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico, debido a que pueden ser desencadenados por diferentes entidades nosológicas, y por otro lado, pacientes portadores de las mismas patologías pueden presentar diferentes alteraciones anatómicas. La laparoscopia juega un importante papel en el abordaje diagnóstico de estos pacientes; permite la visualización de los genitales internos y la toma de muestras de tejidos para estudios histológicos. Desde el punto de vista terapéutico, la cirugía laparoscópica permite la extirpación de estructuras internas opuestas al sexo definitivo del paciente. Se reporta el caso de un adolescente con desorden del desarrollo sexual ovotesticular (Hermafrodita verdadero) a quien una vez definido el sexo social como varón, se le extirparon a través del abordaje laparoscópico, los remanentes embrionarios derivados del Müller. Se practicó mamoplastia reductora e implantación de prótesis testiculares a través de cirugía convencional.

Disorders of sexual development in adolescents refer to children whose genitals at birth present characteristics of both genders, or to those children with normal phenotype that present a development alteration during puberty or adolescence. These disorders represent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, because they can be triggered by different nosological entities; and on the other hand, patients carrying the same pathologies can present different anatomical alterations. Laparoscopy plays an important role in the diagnostic approach of these patients because, besides the fact that it allows an excellent visualization of the internal genitals anatomy, it also allows tissue sample taking for histological studies. On the other hand, from a therapeutic point of view, laparoscopic surgery allows removal of internal structures opposed to the patient’s definite gender. We report the case of an adolescent with ovotesticular disorder of sexual development (True Hermaphrodite) from whom, once his male gender was socially defined, the embrionary remnants derived from Müller were removed through laparoscopic approach. Mamoplastic reduction and testicular prosthesis implantation were also practiced through conventional surgery.

O discurso biomédico e o da construção social na pesquisa sobre intersexualidade / The biomedical discourse and the social construction in research on intersexuality

A intersexualidade se define pela existência de desequilíbrio entre os fatores responsáveis pela determinação do sexo: o indivíduo apresenta caracteres tanto masculinos quanto femininos. A ambiguidade sexual apresenta-se como demarcador da condição de intersexo. Esta revisão de literatura analisou artigos científicos de medicina, psicologia, ciências sociais e direito/ativismo político, acessados através de bancos e portais eletrônicos. As publicações foram analisadas segundo contexto, área/disciplina, tipo de artigo, conteúdo e metodologia do estudo. Os resultados apontaram que os artigos médicos consideraram a intersexualidade como doença crônica, enfatizando as características endocrinológicas e genéticas, efeitos físicos e psicológicos da cirurgia genital. Os artigos de psicologia destacaram aspectos da sexualidade, identidade e orientação sexual. As ciências sociais realizaram uma crítica à visão bipolar do gênero, ressaltando o processo de designação sexual dos intersexuais. Os artigos do campo do direito/ativismo político priorizaram temas como: estigmas sociais, implicações das cirurgias da genitália e mobilização social em prol do direito à saúde. Em relação às metodologias dos estudos, as pesquisas médicas utilizaram predominantemente a abordagem comparativa; os estudos em psicologia utilizaram abordagens qualitativas com entrevistas semi-estruturadas ou questionários; em ciências sociais, os artigos priorizaram pesquisas etnográficas e revisões de literatura; no campo do direito/ativismo político, foram destacadas narrativas e estudos de caso. As narrativas das famílias só foram encontradas em uma publicação, pertencente ao campo da psicologia. Na maioria dos artigos, o conceito de intersexualidade aparece claramente atravessado pelo discurso biomédico. O legado da biomedicina atua diretamente na construção de significados sobre o corpo e gênero.

The intersex is defined by the existence of imbalance between the factors responsible for sex determination: the individual holds both male and female characteristics. The sexual ambiguity presents the path of intersex condition. This literature review examined papers in medicine, psychology, law and social/political activism, accessed through electronic databases and portals. The publications were analyzed according to context, area/discipline, article type, content and methodology of the study. The results showed that the medical articles considered intersexuality as a chronic disease, with emphasis on endocrine and genetic characteristics, physical and psychological effects of genital surgery. Articles of psychology emphasized aspects of sexuality, identity and sexual orientation. Social sciences conducted a critique of the bipolar view of gender, emphasizing the process of designation of sex intersex. The articles of the field of law/political activism prioritized issues such as social stigmas, implications of surgery of the genitalia and social mobilization for the right to health. Regarding the methodology of the studies, medical research has predominantly used a comparative approach, the studies in psychology have used qualitative approaches with semi-structured interviews or questionnaires, social sciences articles prioritized ethnographic research and literature reviews, the field of law/political activism highlighted narratives and case studies. The narratives of families have only been found in a publication, belonging to the field of psychology. In most papers, the concept of intersexuality appears clearly crossed the biomedical discourse. The legacy of biomedicine acts directly on the construction of meanings about the body and gender.

Bilateral gonadoblastomas with a left sided dysgerminoma in a true hermaphrodite (disorder of sexual differentiation) with 46, XY karyotype.

Ovotesticular DSD is not an uncommon disorder. The presence of Y chromosome confers a high risk of neoplastic transformation in dysgenetic gonads. The neoplastic development in these patients is associated with the presence of Y chromosome and intra abdominal location of the abnormal gonad. We report histogenetic details of a rare occurrence of bilateral gonadoblastomas and left sided dysgerminoma in a XY ovotestes DSD (disorder of sexual differentiation) in an 18 year old with a female phenotype.

True hermaphroditism presenting as an inguinal hernia

A 21-year-old patient with cryptorchidism was found to have a left inguinal mass on physical examination. The patient was operated with a diagnosis of bilateral cryptorchidism and left inguinal hernia. Besides bilateral inguinal undescended testicles, female genital organs like fallopian tubes, uterus and ovary were found on the exploration.

Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis Mimicking True Hermaphroditism

A differential diagnosis between the true hermaphroditism (TH) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) has important clinical implications for gender assignment and the decision for early gonadectomy; however, variable clinical and histological features frequently lead to the confusion of TH with MGD. A 17- month-old boy was presented with proximal hypospadias with chordee and right non-palpable testis in his scrotum. He also had right auricular anomaly including a separated tragus with skin tag. Left testis was well palpable in his left scrotum. Diagnostic right inguinal exploration showed Mullerian structures such as a gonad like an ovary and a fallopian tube with a uterus, which were removed. Repair of hypospadias and right auricular anomaly was also done. Following ultrasonography (USG) showed a normal looking testis in left scrotum. His chromosome was 45, XO/46, XY. We report a difficult case of mixed gonadal dysgenesis mimicking true hermaphroditism which combines ipsilateral congenital auricular anomaly.

Genitales ambiguos: técnica de la genitografía y propuesta de clasificación del seno uUrogenital de aAcuerdo a sus hallazgos / Ambiguous genitalia: technique of genitography and a proposal for the classification of the urogenital sinus according to its findings

Los pacientes con genitales ambiguos presentan dificultades diagnósticas y constituyen una emergencia médica. Su estudio requiere de un grupo interdisciplinario para la elección del sexo posible y planear la mejor estrategia quirúrgica. El estudio apropiado y precoz minimiza las compicaciones médicas, psicológicas y sociales del niño y su familia. El objetivo de este estudio es mostrar la experiencia en la utilización de la genitrografía como método de evaluación del seño urogenital en pacientes con ambigüedad genital, luego de la evaluación clínica y ultrasionografica. Mostramos la práctica en 93 pacientes seguidos en nuestra institución durante 17 años. Los diagnósticos fueron: Hiperplasia Suprarrenal Congénita, Hermafroditismo Verdadero. Feminización Testicular y Disgenesia Gonadal. La genitografía detecta con seguridad el nivel de implantación de la cavidad vaginal en la uretra siendo esencial para elegir la estrategia terapéutica. Utilizamos una nueva clasificación de seno urogenital en 3 tipos, de acuerdo a la genitografía.

Hermafroditismo verdadeiro: experiência com 36 casos / True hermaphroditism: experience with 36 patients

OBJETIVO: Apresentar dados de pacientes com Hermafroditismo Verdadeiro (HV) diagnosticados e acompanhados em dois serviços de referência para o diagnóstico e tratamento de anomalias da diferenciação sexual no Estado de São Paulo. CASUíSTICA: Foi composta de 26 HV acompanhados no Instituto da Criança - USP entre 1975 e 2004 e outros 10 casos acompanhados no GIEDDS - UNICAMP entre 1989 e 2004. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os dados clínicos e anatomopatológicos, bem como a definição do sexo de criação. RESULTADOS: A queixa prevalente foi ambigüidade genital (34 em 36 casos) e a mediana da idade à primeira consulta foi de 20 meses. A opção para o sexo feminino foi tomada em 55,6 por cento dos pacientes. Prevaleceu o cariótipo 46,XX (47,2 por cento) seguido por mosaicos (27,8 por cento). O SRY foi negativo em todos os pacientes com cariótipo 46,XX e a gônada mais freqüentemente encontrada foi ovotéstis (OT-47 por cento), seguida de ovário (OV-27 por cento) e testículo (TT - 24 por cento). As associações mais freqüentes foram OV + TT (30,5 por cento), OT + OT (22,2 por cento) e OT + OV (22,2 por cento). A opção do sexo de criação independeu do cariótipo, do tamanho do falo e da dosagem sérica de testosterona, mas foi influenciada pelo posicionamento do meato uretral, que, quando não era perineal (11 casos), levou todos à opção masculina. Em cinco pacientes, todas 46,XX com opção para sexo feminino, pôde-se preservar a porção ovariana do ovotéstis. CONCLUSÃO: O HV continua a desafiar clínicos e investigadores pelo fato de, na maioria dos casos, o cariótipo ser 46,XX, o SRY estar ausente e, ainda assim, haver o desenvolvimento de tecidos ovariano e testicular. A opção preferencial é para o sexo feminino, e a tentativa de preservar o componente ovariano do ovotéstis pode permitir puberdade espontânea e fertilidade.