Scrotal Pain

Abstract: Torsion of the testis is a medical emergency that is most commonly encountered in adolescents. Patients usually present with sudden onset scrotal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. On physical examination the involved testis is tender, high riding and usually horizontal. The cremasteric reflex is usually absent. If left untreated irreversible ischaemia starts appearing in 6 h. Doppler ultrasound is the diagnostic imaging of choice. The ideal treatment is surgical exploration and orchidectomy with contralateral orchidopexy or bilateral orchidopexy depending on the condition of the affected testis. If surgical options are delayed then manual detorsion should be attempted.

Abstract: Diagnosing acute scrotal pain and swelling in children and adolescents is urgent and often difficult. A review of 395 boys hospitalized with acute scrotal pain and/or swelling shows that a useful approach is to divide these patients into four groups--those with intermittent but recurrent episodes of pain, those with pathognomonic physical findings, those with definite epididymitis, and a remaining group with nonspecific swelling and tenderness. Five per cent of boys in this series presented with recurring episodes of scrotal pain; these boys should undergo a simple scrotal operation that yields excellent results. Eight per cent had pathognomonic physical findings; treatment in these boys is straightforward. Eighteen per cent had a definite diagnosis of acute epididymitis (i.e., three nonpathognomonic but suggestive findings of acute epididymitis or two suggestive findings plus a radionuclide scan showing bilateral perfusion); nonoperative therapy is indicated in this group. In the remaining boys, scrotal exploration is the diagnostic (and usually therapeutic) procedure of choice.