The challenging diagnosis of acute scrotum: remaining difficulties and further insights.

The main target during management of a male pediatric patient with clinical signs of acute scrotum is the timely diagnosis, in order not to jeopardize the viability of the affected testicle. Thorough evaluation of the patient's medical history, symptomatology, clinical and ultrasonographic findings, constitutes the basis of the diagnostic procedure. After comprehensive research of the relevant literature, we highlight the remaining difficulties in the evaluation of the clinical and ultrasonographic findings for the accurate diagnosis of the acute scrotum. In conclusion, it is worth emphasizing on the following: a. the most common diseases that come under the diagnosis of the acute scrotum may present with similar symptoms, b. in neglected cases the diagnostic approach becomes more difficult, constituting the evaluation of the pathognomonic clinical signs challenging, and c. inability to exclude the diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion should be an indication for the surgical exploration of the affected hemiscrotum.

[Influence of epididymitis history on the results of vasoepididyostomy in patients with epididymal obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of epididymitis history on the results of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy and spontaneous pregnancy in patients with epididymal obstruction. METHODS: Totally 205 patients with epididymal obstruction underwent microsurgical two-suture longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy from January 2014 to December 2016. After surgery, we evaluated the semen quality of the patients every 3 months till conception and compared the rates of patency and spontaneous pregnancy between the patients with and those without an epididymitis history. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 22 to 46 (mean 31) years, 37 (22.2%) with and 126 (77.8%) without an epididymitis history among the 163 patients for whom a 25.4-month follow-up (from 7 to 42 months) was completed. No statistically significant differences were observed postoperatively between the patients with and those without an epididymitis history in the patency rate (73.0% vs 81.7%, P = 0.243), sperm concentration (18 ï¼»1.3－33.6ï¼½ vs 15.2 ï¼»0.8－33.4ï¼½ ×106/ml, P = 0.710), percentage of progressively motile sperm (27.5 ï¼»0－46.1ï¼½% vs 19.3 ï¼»0－41ï¼½% (P = 0.592) or rate of spontaneous pregnancy (24.3% vs 38.9%, P = 0.104). CONCLUSION: Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy is an effective method for the treatment of epididymal obstruction, and epididymitis history does not affect the results of the strategy.

The acute scrotum in infancy: A retrospective regional study.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular torsion during infancy (<1 year) is known to be a rare event with relatively few studies on the subject in the published scientific literature. We reviewed the experience of infant scrotal exploration within a paediatric surgical network of four centres serving an approximate paediatric population of 1.8 million. AIM: To review current practice of scrotal explorations in infancy and explore areas for improvement. METHOD: Retrospective review of emergency operations for acute scrotum between January 2016 and December 2018. Data are presented as median (range) and compared using non-parametric tests. P < 0.05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: A total of 560 paediatric scrotal explorations were performed. Of these, 25 (4%) were under one year at the time of surgery, median 4 months (1 day-5 months) (Fig. 1). The most common diagnosis was "epididymitis" (11/25, 44%). Testicular torsion was found in 28% (7/25), increasing to 66% (4/6) in those under one month. Of those with confirmed testicular torsion, three (43%) underwent a primary orchiectomy with contralateral fixation and three (43%) detorsion and bilateral fixation, with all three cases found to have testicular atrophy at follow-up. The final case was of metachronous torsion, with the initial presentation not operated on and the subsequent presentation undergoing detorsion and fixation. This was the only case of testicular salvage in our series. There were no underlying urological issues in any patient and no reported complications or ongoing urological issues post-surgery. The rate of follow-up was 17/25 (68%). CONCLUSION: We present one of the only clinical series to focus on acute scrotum in the under one year old and not just the neonatal period. Testicular torsion remains a rare event in this age group but invariably leads to testicular loss.

[A young man with a painful scrotum]. / Een jongeman met een pijnlijk scrotum.

A 16-year-old male patient with no known medical history presented at the Emergency Department (ED) with a 2-day history of pain and swelling in his right hemiscrotum. He was diagnosed with non-bacterial epididymitis and discharged home with medical advice. Six days after being diagnosed, the pain and swelling worsened and he was seen by a general practitioner who concluded that the symptoms were attributable to the previously diagnosed epididymitis. No further investigations were performed. Two days later he again presented at the ED, at which time colour Doppler echography revealed a testicular torsion of probably two days old. As after operative detorsion the testis was found to be non-vital, an orchidectomy was performed. This case illustrates that the diagnosis of epididymitis should always be reviewed in patients in whom the scrotum once again becomes painful. Early recognition and treatment of torsio testis gives a better chance of keeping the testis and therefore fertility.

Evaluación ecográfica de la orquiepididimitis complicada / Ultrasound findings in complicated orchiepididymitis

Para describir los hallazgos ecográficos de la orquiepididimitis aguda complicada diseñamos un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de casos entre 2006-2013. Registramos 75 casos de orquiepididimitis aguda severa, presentando complicaciones 15 pacientes (20%). La media de edad fue 54 años (rango 15-84). Las principales manifestaciones clínicas fueron dolor escrotal y edema testicular, encontrando: orquiepididimitis crónica, absceso escrotal, absceso intratesticular, piocele, isquemia testicular y atrofia testicular en el contexto de una orquitis crónica. Fue preciso realizar cirugía en 9 casos. La ecografía identifica lesiones específicas cuyo manejo precoz permite el tratamiento conservador y un seguimiento del proceso sin recurrir a exploraciones quirúrgicas innecesarias. Se revisan los datos clínicos y su correlación con los patrones ecográficos encontrados en nuestro estudio. La orquiepididimitis es un problema habitual que puede derivar en complicaciones de variada gravedad. El conocimiento de los signos ecográficos nos permitirá establecer un diagnostico precoz y fiable, eligiendo el tratamiento adecuado (AU)

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2013, in order to describe the ultrasound findings in complicated acute orchiepididymitis (orchitis). There have been 75 cases of severe acute orchitis, with 15 (20%) of them having complications. The mean age was 54 years (range 15-84), and the main clinical manifestations were scrotal pain and testicular swelling. Other findings included, chronic orchitis, scrotal abscess, intra-testicular abscess, pyocele, testicular ischaemia, and testicular atrophy. Surgery was performed in 9 cases. Ultrasound can reliably identify specific lesions, for which early treatment that includes conservative management and monitoring of the process without resorting to unnecessary surgical exploration. Clinical data and its correlation with the main ultrasound patterns found in the study were reviewed. The diagnosis of orchitis is a common problem that can lead to complications of varying severity. Knowledge of the ultrasound signs of these conditions will allow us to establish a reliable early diagnosis and the choice of appropriate conservative or surgical treatment (AU)

Emphysematous epididymo-orchitis as a camouflage of prostate invasion secondary to rectum cancer: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Emphysematous epididymo-orchitis is a rare cause of acute scrotum pain characterized by gas formation within the tissue. Diabetes mellitus and recto-seminal fistula secondary to sigmoid diverticulitis are generally accepted as being responsible for this disease. However, prostate invasion secondary to rectal cancer may be considered to be a newly identified pathogenetic mechanism. Herein, we report this rare case and illustrate the pathogenesis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old man arrived at our emergency department presenting with sepsis and acute scrotal pain. Emphysematous epididymo-orchitis was diagnosed by scrotal sonography initially; however, advanced rectal cancer with prostate invasion was diagnosed by CT after a recurrent episode. An exploratory laparotomy with abdominoperineal resection and radical prostectomy were performed after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the previous diagnosis. Emphysematous epididymo-orchitis caused by advanced rectal cancer is very rare, and our case is the first to be reported according to a literature search. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus extended surgery can achieve a good oncological outcome. CONCLUSION: This case indicated that the very rare presentation as emphysematous epididymo-orchitis caused by locally advanced colorectal cancer.

THE ACUTE SCROTUM IN CHILDREN.

The acute scrotum syndrome is a medical-surgical emergency and the recognition of this condition by both healthcare professionals and the general population may result into the patients' coming in earlier for medical examination and into the preservation of the gonad in case of torsion. The purpose of this retrospective analytical research is to point out specific epidemiological aspects in pediatric patients suffering from acute scrotum, and to review the existing diagnosis and treatment options. The study included 208 patients, of whom 16 with vanishing testis and 192 with acute scrotum (torsion of testis 25.5%, torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni 68.2%, epididymoorchitis 5.2%). The torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni occurs in boys with a mean age of 10 years and it involves both testes equally, whereas the torsion of testis usually occurs around the age of 13 and is twice more common in the left gonad. Another significant difference between the two conditions is the inflammatory syndrome, which occurs in 45.4% of the children with torsion of testis versus only 18.2% in the torsion of hydatid. Only one out of six testes torted during the neonatal period could be saved (16.6%); the gonad preservation rate was as high as 68.2% in the group of patients with testis torsion occurring outside the neonatal period. These alarming data are accounted for by the non-recognition of the severity of the condition and by the delayed surgical therapy, which occurs on the average 20 hours after the testis torsion has set in. If the asepsis and antisepsis standards are observed, patients with torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni or torsion of testis require neither fluid sampling from the tunica vaginalis for culture, nor antibiotic therapy.

Epidydimo-orchitis and anorectal malformations: when and in whom?

PURPOSE: Epididymo-orchitis (EO) is infrequently reported in anorectal malformation (ARM) cases. Therefore, it is difficult to assess its risk factors. METHODS: A total of 110 male patients who were operated on for ARM at the same Institution over a period of 13 years were contacted. Association was assessed between EO and the following: spinal dysraphism (SD), symptomatic VUR (VUR), and bowel management (BM) requiring enemas. The data were analyzed with the Chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients were contacted. Ten cases of EO were found, and all occurred in patients with recto-urethral (RU) fistula after reconstruction. The patients' age at first episode ranged between 4 and 11 years. RU fistula patients experiencing EO (Group A, 10 patients) were compared with those without EO (Group B, 33 patients). VUR occurred in 9/10 cases in Group A and in 13/33 cases in group B (Chi-square 7.8658, p = 0.005038). SD was present in 4/10 cases in group A and in 13/33 cases in Group B (Chi-square 0.0434, p = 0.83491). A total of 8/10 cases in Group A and 12/33 cases in Group B were on BM (Chi-square 5.87, p = 0.0015). CONCLUSIONS: EO occurs in approximately in 20 % of male cases with ARM, and recto-urinary communication and should be considered the primary diagnosis in the presence of testicular pain. This could avoid unnecessary surgical exploration, and the family should be counseled about this subject.

Epididymitis in patients with anorectal malformations: a cause for urologic concern.

INTRODUCTION: Epididymitis in patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) represents a unique problem because unlike the general population, an underlying urinary tract problem is frequently identified. We review our experience with epididymitis in ARM population with an emphasis on examining urologic outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of male patients with ARM cared for from 1980 to 2010. Clinical and pathologic variables recorded included age at presentation, recurrence, associated urologic anomalies, incidence of ureteral fusion with mesonephric ductal structures, glomerular filtration rate and urodynamic parameters. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were identified with documented episodes of epididymitis. Renal injury was noted in five patients (19%), all of whom were diagnosed with neurogenic bladder (NGB) several years after anorectoplasty. NGB was found in ten patients (38%) in our series. Ectopic insertion of ureter into a mesonephric ductal structure was discovered in five patients (19%). Twelve patients (46%) had recurrent episodes of epididymitis, with seven of these patients (58%) being diagnosed with NGB. Two patients in the pubertal group presented with a history of epididymitis and complained of ejaculatory pain. CONCLUSION: Epididymitis in a patient with ARM warrants a comprehensive urologic investigation, particularly in recurrent episodes. Attempts at surgical intervention (e.g. vasectomy) should be avoided until functional assessment of the urinary tract has occurred. Failure to recognize this association may lead to potentially avoidable complications and morbidity. Long term urological follow up of these patients is warranted to identify at risk patients and minimize renal deterioration.

Epididymitis in Patients with Anorectal Malformations: A Cause for Urologic Concern

Introduction Epididymitis in patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) represents a unique problem because unlike the general population, an underlying urinary tract problem is frequently identified. We review our experience with epididymitis in ARM population with an emphasis on examining urologic outcomes. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective review of male patients with ARM cared for from 1980 to 2010. Clinical and pathologic variables recorded included age at presentation, recurrence, associated urologic anomalies, incidence of ureteral fusion with mesonephric ductal structures, glomerular filtration rate and urodynamic parameters. Results Twenty-six patients were identified with documented episodes of epididymitis. Renal injury was noted in five patients (19%), all of whom were diagnosed with neurogenic bladder (NGB) several years after anorectoplasty. NGB was found in ten patients (38%) in our series. Ectopic insertion of ureter into a mesonephric ductal structure was discovered in five patients (19%). Twelve patients (46%) had recurrent episodes of epididymitis, with seven of these patients (58%) being diagnosed with NGB. Two patients in the pubertal group presented with a history of epididymitis and complained of ejaculatory pain. Conclusion Epididymitis in a patient with ARM warrants a comprehensive urologic investigation, particularly in recurrent episodes. Attempts at surgical intervention (e.g. vasectomy) should be avoided until functional assessment of the urinary tract has occurred. Failure to recognize this association may lead to potentially avoidable complications and morbidity. Long term urological follow up of these patients is warranted to identify at risk patients and minimize renal deterioration .

Unusual isolated tubercolous epididymitis. Case report.

We present an unusual case of tuberculous epididymitis in a 33-year-old African patient, who was referred to our Department of Urology with a right intrascrotal mass. There was no evidence of fever, hematuria, dysuria or symptoms from the lower urinary tract. The patient did not demonstrate any laboratory signs of inflammation (white blood cells, C reactive protein). Scrotal sonography revealed a solid heterogeneous, hypoecoic lesion between the epididymal head and the upper testis pole, with disruption of the architecture of the testicular parenchyma. Strong ultrasound suspicion of tuberculous etiology was confirmed by epididymectomy and partial orchiectomy. The patient started an antitubercular treatment. Although rare, epididymal TB may be the only clinically evident location of infection. Clinical suspicion and prompt diagnosis are important because earlier treatment can prevent complications and lead to clinical improvement.

Neurovascular sparing vas clipping: last option for recurrent epididymo-orchitis in urethrovasal reflux due to urethral injury.

Acute scrotum is a critical clinical entity in children. This report presents a 12-year-old boy presented with recurrent epididymo-orchitis (EO) with a history of pelvic trauma and urethral disruption 10 years ago. Antegrade and retrograde studies confirmed urethrovasal reflux. The patient did not respond to prophylactic antibiotics, clean intermittent catheterization and endoscopic injection of bulking agent at the junction of the ejaculatory duct and posterior urethra. As the last option, neurovascular sparing vas clipping was performed and the patient made a full recovery. This is the first report of this technique in the treatment for recurrent EO caused by traumatic injury.

Xanthogranulomatous orchiepididymitis: a very uncommon cause of scrotal mass in childhood.

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis (XGO) is an extremely rare inflammatory destructive lesion of testis. We report a case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with painful right testicular mass and discharging scrotal fistulas. Serologic tumor markers were normal. Tissue destruction was profound in the initial biopsy. The antibiotic treatment did not change the course of the disease. The definitive cure was achieved by orchiectomy and excision of the fistulous extension to the scrotum. Histopathological investigation was consistent with xanthogranulomatous process. Although XGO is very rare, the basic interest in the present report is considering this entity in the broad differential diagnosis spectrum of scrotal masses in childhood.

Inhibition of adhesion and fibrosis improves the outcome of epididymectomy as a treatment for chronic epididymitis: a multicenter, randomized controlled, single-blind study.

PURPOSE: We measured the effectiveness of inhibition of adhesion and fibrosis on patient outcomes after epididymectomy as a treatment for chronic epididymitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An initial cohort of 152 patients was treated conservatively for chronic epididymitis. Of these patients 43 did not respond to conservative treatment and following informed consent they were enrolled in the clinical trial. The patients were randomized into 2 groups so that 22 underwent epididymectomy with concurrent administration of the inhibitors of adhesion and fibrosis hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose (group 1), and 21 underwent epididymectomy only (group 2). Visual analog pain scores and patient satisfaction scores were obtained at postoperative weeks 4, 12 and 24. RESULTS: There were no postoperative complications such as wound infection or hematoma in either group. One patient was lost to followup from group 1 and 2 were lost from group 2. At postoperative week 24, 12 patients (57.1%) from group 1 and 3 (15.8%) from group 2 were pain-free, 6 (28.6%) from group 1 and 6 (31.6%) from group 2 exhibited limited pain relief, 2 (9.5%) from group 1 and 7 (36.8%) from group 2 exhibited no pain relief, and 1 (4.8%) from group 1 and 3 (15.8%) from group 2 exhibited recurrence of pain after initial resolution at earlier followup intervals (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of adhesion and fibrosis after epididymectomy as a treatment for chronic epididymitis improves pain relief and patient satisfaction.

Management of recurrent epididymitis in children: application of neurovascular sparing vas clipping in refractory cases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of therapeutic methods for recurrent epididymitis and neurovascular sparing vas clipping in refractory cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen boys with recurrent epididymitis were enrolled: the first group (9) with primary structural anomalies and the second group (6) with voiding dysfunction without structural anomalies. Median age was 4 (29 months to 7 years) and 4.5 (6 months to 11 years) years, respectively. Mean follow up was 7.5 (2-11) and 5.2 (3.5-8) years, respectively. RESULTS: Urethrovasal reflux was detected in all patients of the first group except one. Endoscopic injection of bulking agent was successfully applied in three patients with no recurrent epididymitis. No further episodes of epididymitis were reported after valve ablation or clean intermittent catheterization. In four non-responders, vas clipping was successfully undertaken. Voiding dysfunction was the possible etiology of epididymitis but with no obvious urethrovasal reflux in the second group. No further episodes of epididymitis occurred using bladder retraining and medications for detrusor and sphincter relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that neurovascular sparing vas clipping can be used effectively in children with structural anomalies and urethrovasal reflux who have developed intractable epididymitis.