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We currently have 11 urologists with a variety of interests and specialties in the field of Urology. Choose a physician listed on the right to learn more about that specific physician. You can also call our office or complete the Request a Consultation form on this page to speak directly with one of our staff who can help to schedule you with a physician to meet your needs.
DR. BRIAN
BILLMEYER
Dr. Billmeyer grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated with highest distinction with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. He was selected for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
DR. EDWARD “TED”
CAPOCCIA
Dr. Capoccia was born and raised in Kansas City. He attended the University of Kansas for his undergraduate education and majored in human biology. He completed his medical school training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
DR. TYLER
EMLEY
Dr. Emley was born in Michigan and grew up in New Hampshire. He graduated magna cum laude from Indiana University/Bloomington in 1995 with degrees in Biology and Sociology. He was selected for the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
DR. PRIYANKA
KUMAR
Dr. Kumar grew up in Crown Point, IN and graduated from Merrillville High School before pursuing a degree in Biology, with a minor in business administration from the University of Southern Indiana.
DR. KEVIN
PARIKH
Dr. Parikh grew up in Schererville, Indiana. After graduating as valedictorian from Lake Central High School, he went on to Indiana University where he obtained a business degree from the Kelley School of Business and minors in both chemistry and biology.
DR. ADAM
PERLMUTTER
Dr Perlmutter grew up on Long Island, New York. He majored in biology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.
DR. MANOJ
RAO
Dr. Rao was born in Chicago and grew up in Olympia Fields, Illinois. He attended Saint Louis University for his undergraduate studies as both a Pre Medical and Presidential Scholar.
DR. RYAN
SWEARINGEN
Dr. Swearingen grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and graduated with honors, with a major in economics and a minor in chemistry. He was selected in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
DR. RAMESH
UNNI
Dr. Unni was born in Maywood, Illinois. He grew up in Crown Point, IN and attended St. Mary’s School and Andrean High School locally before pursuing a degree in economics at Northwestern University.
DR. TED
VELLOS
Dr. Vellos was born and raised in Orland Park, Illinois where he graduated from Carl Sandburg High school. He attended Loyola University Chicago for both undergraduate and medical schools obtaining degrees in Chemistry and Economics and earning Honors in research.
DR. BRUCE
YALOWITZ
More commonly referred to as an undescended testicle, cryptorchidism can be a serious medical condition. It is characterized by a testicle that has not moved into the scrotum before birth.
The condition is not very common. It occurs most frequently in prematurely born male babies. Typically, cryptorchidism only affects one testicle. However, both testicles are undescended in about 10 percent of cases.
Fortunately, most cases of cryptorchidism resolve on their own. During a child’s first few months of life, the testicle will descend into the scrotum without any medical intervention.
If your son has cryptorchidism, medical professionals can correct the problem with a surgical procedure. Generally, physicians give the testicle ample time to drop on its own so that they do not subject the child to an unnecessary surgery.
However, if your child experiences complications, then medical staff may need to move forward with surgical intervention sooner.
If the doctor cannot locate both of your son’s testicles in the scrotum, then they may recommend additional testing. This testing will determine if they are undescended or missing entirely. Certain medical conditions that result in the absence of testicles can lead to serious medical complications if left untreated.
Imaging tests are generally ineffective at diagnosing cryptorchidism. Instead, physicians often recommend surgical procedures to diagnose and treat the condition. The preferred method is a procedure known as laparoscopy.
During a laparoscopy, the physician will make a small incision in your child’s abdomen. They will then insert a tiny camera into the incision. This procedure is necessary to locate an intra-abdominal testicle.
Sometimes, the physician can fix the undescended testicle during the same procedure. However, more invasive procedures are necessary in some cases.
Undescended testicles are typically treated through surgical intervention. While some testicles will descend on their own, it is vital that treatment does not get delayed for too long. Surgical intervention before your child turns one may lower the risk of future complications, such as infertility. At the latest, your child should undergo corrective surgery before 18 months of age.
During surgery, the physician will carefully relocate the testicle into the scrotum. They will stitch it into place so that it does not ascend again. This specific procedure is known as an orchiopexy.
Orchiopexies can be completed laparoscopically in most cases. However, some children require open surgery. Undescended testicles may also involve an inguinal hernia. If so, both conditions can be resolved during a single surgical procedure.
After the surgery, your child’s physician will monitor the testicle to ensure normal development and function. This may include ultrasounds, tests of hormone levels, and physical exams.
For patients that have an undescended testicle, surgical intervention may be recommended. Depending on the age of the patient and positioning of the testicle, your physician might suggest a procedure called an orchiopexy to bring the testicle into the correct position in the scrotum. During this procedure, the testicle is moved into the scrotum, and some attachments holding it further up into the groin or abdomen are removed or divided. If the testicle is not palpable on exam in the groin or near the scrotum, your doctor will likely suggest further imaging prior to any procedure.
Most cases of undescended testicle that would require this procedure are diagnosed in childhood. For adult patients, there is usually limited benefit to proceed with an orchiopexy. Removal or observation of an undescended testicle is typically recommended, depending on size and location of the testicle, as well as the age of the patient.
Surgery may require a small incision in the groin, or a more advanced procedure with intra-abdominal laparoscopy to locate the testicle if it is not palpable in the groin.
Recovery usually consists of some light activity for a few weeks, and may require low doses of narcotic medications for post-operative pain.
Your child should not experience pain from an undescended testicle. However, there are other risks to their normal development if the condition is left untreated.
Imaging equipment such as X-ray machines are not effective for diagnosing or evaluating undescended testicles. Doctors cannot locate undescended testicles by hand, either. Instead, they may need to perform a minimally invasive laparoscopy to determine whether your child has an undescended testicle.
Fortunately, many undescended testicles will move into place on their own. However, if this has not occurred by your child’s first birthday, then surgery will likely be recommended. Surgical intervention is the best way to protect your child from complications related to the condition. The surgery is known as an orchiopexy.
An orchiopexy moves your child’s undescended testicle into the scrotum, where it is a few degrees cooler. This promotes fertility later in life. However, some children may still be infertile due to undescended testicles.
By putting your child’s testicles into the scrotum, it is easier to detect abnormalities like testicular cancer. Children that are born with an undescended testicle are at a slightly elevated risk of developing testicular cancer.
Yes, your child’s scrotum should look completely normal. In some cases, the undescended testicle consists of dead or damaged tissue and must be removed. When this happens, you can opt to have a prosthetic testicle placed into your child’s scrotum.
The decision to proceed with a vasectomy is a very personal one.
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