Acute Scrotum
Acute Scrotum
Acute Scrotum
C.ANGEL, MD
DEFINITION
Pain Swelling Erythema Acute onset
ALLWAYS AN EMERGENCY!
WHY EMERGENCY?
Potential for testicular loss Infertility Legal action against hospital and physicians Accurate diagnosis limited by similarity of presentation and physical findings of different causes Radiologic techniques helpful, but may delay treatment Operation may be needed for Dx and Tx purposes
PAINLESS SWELLING
Hernias Hydroceles Testicular masses Lymphedema Post-surgical scrotal wall edema Testicular tumors
AGE FACTOR
Can occur in any age group!
Extravaginal torsion in neonates Childhood and preadolescence, intravaginal testicular torsion, torsion of appendix testis Epididymitis in the sexually active patient
A PUBERTAL, NONSEXUALLY ACTIVE BOY WITH AN ACUTE SCROTAL CONDITION HAS TESTICULAR TORSION UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Testicular torsion
Intravaginal Extravaginal
Torsion of testicular appendage Acute epididymitis/orchitis Trauma Idiopathic scrotal edema Insect bites Henoch/Schonlein purpura
EXTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Presentation: Depends on timing of torsion Edematous discolored, bruised and fixed scrotal skin with indurated scrotal mass Marble-like testis without associated skin changes Vanished testis Torsion occurring in the immediate postnatal period is extremely rare
EXTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Differential Dx: Incarcerated hernia Tense hydrocele Neonatal testicular tumor Labs not useful Sonography useful- flow? , echotexture.
EXTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Operative management: Not done to save testicle Asynchronous testicular torsion has been reported Affected testis is removed Operation to prophylactically pex the contralateral testicle
INTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Bell-clapper deformity High, narrow attachment of the testis within the tunica vaginalis Testis can swing within the tunical space More common in pre-pubertal or pubertal male due to rapid growth of testicle Torsions are lateral to medial and may be 180720 degrees. Vascular compromise and ischemic changes in the testicle
INTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Symptoms: Intense, immediate pain Pain may or not be related to physical activity Vomiting Lower quadrant abdominal pain Sometimes patient is awakened by pain
INTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Signs: Diffusely tender testicle High-riding testis Abnormal orientation of the testis with transverse lie in the scrotal sac Anterior presentation of the epididymus Absence of cremasteric reflex Later presentation clouded by associated hydrocele and scrotal edema
INTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Manual detorsion: Opening the book approach Testis untwisted medially to laterally May buy time if surgeon not immediately available If successful , immediate relief of symptoms Torsions can also occur in the opposite direction
INTRAVAGINAL TORSION
Management: Immediate exploration Detorsion, if viable, bilateral orchidopexy, if not, ipsilateral orchiectomy, contralateral orchidopexy Doppler ultrasound should not delay exploration if patient presents within 6 hour window of onset of symptoms Race against time!
INTERMITTENT TORSION
Intermittent episodes of severe testicular pain Resolve spontaneously within a short time Mostly in young pubertal boys Physical findings are similar when witnessed Management: Elective surgical fixation as soon as possible Some patients may be experiencing orchalgia unrelated to torsion
EPIDIDYMITIS
Rare in childhood Occurs in association with urinary tract infection Evaluate for possible urogenital anomaly (ectopic ureter) In the absence of UTIs, epididymitis has been known to occur in boys wit severe voiding dysfunction
EPIDIDYMITIS
Usually adolescent, sexually active male Symptoms are gradual Associated pyuria, dysuria, flank pain, fever Sonography is helpful in making the diagnosis Causes: Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureoplasma urealyticum, Neisseria gonorrhea
EPIDIDYMITIS
Treatment: Report to health department Treat partners 1g ceftriaxone IM followed by 100 doxycycline bid for one week Counseling on risks of unprotected sexual intercourse
TRAUMA
Infrequent History of direct hit to scrotal area May range from normal exam to to diffusely enlarged scrotum with echymoses and loss of anatomic landmarks Many patients present with torsion after acute trauma Testicular rupture requires immediate exploration Hematomas are managed expectantly