
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.
Scrotal pain
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Testicular pain should always be considered urgent because of possible Fourniers Gangerene or testicular torsion. Cancer is a common fear in patients.
Differentiating Testicular Pain from other Diseases
Differentiating Testicular Pain from other Diseases
- Epididymal or testicular appendage torsion
- Epididymysis
- Fournier’s Gangrene
- Henoch-Schönlein purpura
- Hydrocele
- Peritonitis
- Referred pain due to an incarcerated hernia, constipation or kidney stone
- Ruptured abdominal aneurysm
- Scrotal trauma
- Testicular torsion
- Tumor
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
- History and physical exam includes abdomen, back, genitalia and digital rectal exam.
- Note: Onset, duration, location, quality and any other instances of pain
- Transilluminate for fluid
- “Blue dot sign” -> Blue coloration along upper area seen in 20% of torsion of the testicular appendix and/or due to infarction or necrosis.
- Palpate testicle and spermatic cord for:
- Effusion
- Tenderness
- Subcutaneous emphysema
- Size
Laboratory Findings
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis culture
- Urinalysis in all patients
MRI
- Recent studies support the use of MRI
Ultrasound
- Use doppler to check for masses
Treatment
Treatment
Acute Pharmacotherapies
- Antibiotic therapy
- NSAIDs and scrotal elevation
- Antibiotic therapy
Surgery
- Testicular torsion is an emergency
- Necessary to salvage testicle
- If surgery is not available, perform manual detorsion
- Penetrate spermatic cord with 10-20mL of 1% lidocaine
- Gently twist testes to the left and right
- Patient will feel immediate relief upon detorsion
- Refer to a to a urologist if unsuccessful
- Incarcerated inguinal hernias and testicular rupture involve surgery
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
