Pediatric emergency care
-
Pediatric emergency care · Dec 1992
Case ReportsTesticular torsion versus epididymitis: a diagnostic challenge.
Unlike the patient who presents with a potentially acute abdomen, the child or adolescent with a potentially acute scrotum cannot simply be observed. If testicular torsion is present, the testicle must be detorted and orchiopexy performed as soon as possible for fertility to be maintained. Torsion of the appendix testis, however, can usually be managed without surgery. ⋯ Any patient with an acute scrotal complaint and a negative scan should receive daily follow-up until the symptoms subside. Although our adolescent patient did well, his acute presentation and findings should have warranted immediate exploration. It is only through this aggressive approach that we can continue to increase testicular salvage rates.