Testicular Torsion: When Distance is the Enemy

Dr. Vishal Gautam, Dr. Arvind Mehra

Abstract: Background: Acute scrotum is a medical emergency involving the scrotum or intrascrotal content with signs of local inflammation. The main causes include testicular torsion, torsion of testicular appendage, epididymitis and orchitis. Testicular torsion represents almost 25% of the causes of acute scrotum with an incidence of approximately 1/4000 under 25 years age with highest prevalence between 12 to 18 years old. Testicular torsion is the rotation of the testicle on its vascular pedicle, resulting in ischemia. Thus, it is important to exclude the diagnosis of testicular torsion as this condition requires immediate surgical intervention in order to preserve the affected testicle. Objective: To highlight the importance of immediate diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion as delay in the treatment is directly related to the testical salvage or loss.

Keywords: Testicular Torsion, Acute Scrotum, Prehn's Sign, Testicular ischemia, Orchidectomy