Structured Abstract

Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Key Informants
• Technical Expert Panel
• Peer Reviewers
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
  • Background
  • Scope of the Review
  • Organization of This Evidence Report
  • Uses of This Evidence Report
• Methods
  • Topic Development and Refinement
  • Literature Search Strategy
  • Study Selection Process
  • Development of Evidence Tables and Data Extraction Process
  • Data Synthesis
  • Rating Quality of Individual Studies
  • Strength of Evidence for Each KQ
  • Applicability
  • Peer Review
• Results
  • KQ1a Performance of Imaging Techniques
  • KQ1b Hormonal Stimulation Testing
  • KQ2 Effectiveness of Hormone Therapy
  • KQ3 Effectiveness of Surgical Therapy
  • KQ4 Modifiers of Treatment
  • KQ5 Harms Associated With Treatment
• Discussion
  • State of the Literature
  • Principal Findings and Considerations
  • Applicability
  • Implications for Clinical and Policy Decisionmaking
  • Contextual Information Not Covered in the Review
  • Methodologic Issues
  • Research Gaps
  • Conclusions
• References
• Acronyms/Abbreviations/Symbols
• Appendix A Exact Search Strings and Results
• Appendix B Sample Abstract and Full-Text Review Forms
• Appendix C Excluded Studies
• Appendix D Evidence Tables
• Appendix E Quality of the Literature
• Appendix F Applicability

Prepared for: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services¹, Contract No. 290-2007-10065-I, Prepared by: Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center, Nashville, TN

Suggested citation:

Penson DF, Krishnaswami S, Jules A, Seroogy JC, McPheeters ML. Evaluation and Treatment of Cryptorchidism. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 88. (Prepared by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2007-10065-I.) AHRQ Publication No. 13-EHC001-EF. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. December 2012. www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/final.cfm.

This report is based on research conducted by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD (Contract No. 290-2007-10065-I). The findings and conclusions in this document are those of the authors, who are responsible for its contents; the findings and conclusions do not necessarily represent the views of AHRQ. Therefore, no statement in this report should be construed as an official position of AHRQ or of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The information in this report is intended to help health care decisionmakers—patients and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers, among others—make well-informed decisions and thereby improve the quality of health care services. This report is not intended to be a substitute for the application of clinical judgment. Anyone who makes decisions concerning the provision of clinical care should consider this report in the same way as any medical reference and in conjunction with all other pertinent information, i.e., in the context of available resources and circumstances presented by individual patients.

This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or as a basis for reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.

None of the investigators have any affiliations or financial involvement that conflicts with the material presented in this report.

1

540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850; www​.ahrq.gov