Acute Epididymo-orchitis in Newborn Infant

ABSTRACT

Acute scrotum in newborn infants is unusual and it is even more unusual with infectious origin. The causes of acute scrotum in newborn infants include hydrocele, testicular torsion, torsion of an appendix testis, epididymo-orchitis, meconium peritonitis, testicular tumor, scrotal hematoma and reducible or incarcerated inguinal hernia. Because of lack of typical symptoms and signs, the correct diagnosis of surgical emergencies such as testicular torsion and incarcerated inguinal hernia are often delayed. Recently, color Doppler ultrasonography and testicular scans are being used for differential diagnosis of acute scrotum, although the latter is often technically unsatisfactory due to small size of the testicles in newborn infants. We report a seven day-old male infant with acute scrotum who was diagnosed as acute epididymo-orchitis by color Doppler ultrasonography, and saved from unnecessary surgical interventions. Although color Doppler ultrasonography can not give diagnostic clue for acute scrotum, it can reduce the need for explorative surgery.