Bilateral testicular torsion in an adolescent: a case with challenging diagnosis

ABSTRACT Bilateral testicular torsion is a very uncommon emergency, with a challenging differential diagnosis. We describe the case of a 15-year-old patient with a left testicular torsion of 48 hours of duration and a sudden onset of right scrotum pain during his stay at the emergency area. Bilateral testicular torsion was diagnosed after repeat physical examination and doppler ultrasound, which had been normal for right testis in a first evaluation. Surgical exploration was performed with orchiectomy in left testis and fixation in right testis. In previous literature, there are reported bilateral torsion only in four adolescents and five adults. With this case, we demonstrate that bilateral spermatic cord torsion may be easily overlooked in a patient with acute scrotum and we emphasize the importance of bilateral exploration in testicular torsion.

Ureteral avulsion as a complication of ureteroscopy

PURPOSE: Report and review the literature on ureteral avulsion as a rare complication of ureteroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 3 cases of ureteral avulsion in a series of 4,645 ureteroscopic procedures performed from January 1990 to December 2001. We especially report the different managements for this complication. RESULTS: Due to the different extent of the injury, each patient was treated in a particular way, including a patient managed by means of an endourological approach. CONCLUSIONS: When performing ureteroscopy or using Dormia baskets, one should always bear in mind the possibility of serious complications, including ureteral avulsion or perforation. The use of an extremely careful technique of ureteral insertion, the mandatory placement of a safety guidewire, and a working guidewire, all minimize the risk of untoward events