
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Epididymoorchitis natural history, complications and prognosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The prognosis of epididymoorchitis is usually excellent, with the majority of cases resolving within 30 days of initiation of medical therapy. However, some cases can progress to chronic epididymoorchitis. Other complications of epididymoorchitis include abscess formation, testicular infarction, sepsis and infertility.
Natural History
Natural History
If left untreated, acute epididymoorchitis may progress to chronic cases.[1]
Complications
Complications
Some of the complications of an acute epididymoorchitis infection include:[1]
- Progression of the infection to chronic epididymoorchitis
- Formation of a reactive hydrocele
- Abscess formation
- Infarction of the testicle
- Sepsis
- Infertility
Prognosis
Prognosis
The prognosis of epididymoorchitis is usually excellent. In young patients in whom epididymoorchitis is due to a sexually transmitted disease, acute epididymoorchitis usually resolves within 2 weeks of the initiation of medical therapy. In men older than the age of 40, 90% of cases of epididymitis resolve within 30 days of treatment.[2]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dima Nimri, M.D. [2]
