eMedicine Specialties > Urology > Common Problems of the Testicle

Testicular Torsion

Eugene Minevich, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Urology, University of Cincinnati
Leslie Tackett, MD, Fellow, Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital Medical Center at Cincinnati

Updated: Feb 9, 2007

Introduction

Torsion of the testis, or more correctly, torsion of the spermatic cord, is a surgical emergency because it causes strangulation of gonadal blood supply with subsequent testicular necrosis and atrophy. Acute scrotal swelling in children indicates torsion of the testis until proven otherwise. In approximately two thirds of patients, history and physical examination are sufficient to make an accurate diagnosis.

History of the Procedure

Patients often complain of acute-onset scrotal discomfort, which may occur at rest or may relate to sports or physical activities. They may describe similar previous episodes, which may suggest intermittent testicular torsion. Patients deny voiding problems or painful urination but may describe nausea and vomiting.

Problem

Testicular torsion refers to twisting of the spermatic cord structures, either in the inguinal canal or just below the inguinal canal. The following are the 2 most common types of testicular torsion (see Image 1):

Extravaginal torsion: This type manifests in the neonatal period and most commonly develops prenatally in the spermatic cord, proximal to the attachments of the tunica vaginalis.
Intravaginal torsion: This type occurs within the tunica vaginalis, usually in older children. Intravaginal torsion is related to an anomalous testicular suspension that has been referred to as the bell-clapper anomaly. In many instances, this anomaly may be bilateral.

Frequency

Extravaginal torsion comprises approximately 5% of all torsions. The condition is most often a prenatal (in utero) event and is associated with high birth weight. Up to 20% of cases are synchronous, and 3% are asynchronous bilateral.
Intravaginal torsion comprises approximately 16% of patients with torsion presenting in emergency departments with acute scrotum. Peak incidence occurs in adolescents aged 13 years, and the left testis is more frequently involved. Bilateral cases account for 2% of all torsions.

Etiology

Extravaginal torsion: The testes may freely rotate prior to the development of testicular fixation via the tunica vaginalis within the scrotum.
Intravaginal torsion: Normal testicular suspension ensures firm fixation of the epididymal-testicular complex posteriorly and effectively prevents twisting of the spermatic cord. In contrast, the bell-clapper deformity allows torsion to occur because of a lack of fixation, resulting in the testis being freely suspended within the tunica vaginalis. A large mesentery between the epididymis and the testis can also predispose itself to torsion, although this is rare. Contraction of the spermatic muscles shortens the spermatic cord and may initiate testicular torsion.

Pathophysiology

Torsion of the spermatic cord may interrupt blood flow to the testis and epididymis. The degree of torsion may vary from 180-720°. Increasing testicular and epididymal congestion promotes progression of torsion.

The extent and duration of torsion prominently influence both the immediate salvage rate and late testicular atrophy. Testicular salvage most likely occurs if the duration of torsion is less than 6-8 hours. If 24 hours or more elapse, testicular necrosis develops in most patients.

Presentation

Prenatal torsion manifests as a firm, hard, scrotal mass, which does not transilluminate in an otherwise asymptomatic newborn male. The scrotal skin characteristically fixes to the necrotic gonad.

In older boys, the classic presentation of testicular torsion is the sudden onset of severe testicular pain followed by inguinal and/or scrotal swelling. Pain may lessen as the necrosis becomes more complete. Approximately one third of patients also have gastrointestinal upset with nausea and vomiting. In some patients, scrotal trauma or other scrotal disease (including torsion of appendix testis or epididymitis) may precede the occurrence of subsequent testicular torsion.

A physical examination may reveal a swollen, tender, high-riding testis (see Image 2). The absence of the cremasteric reflex in a patient with acute scrotal pain supports the diagnosis of torsion. In time, a reactive hydrocele, scrotal wall erythema, and ecchymosis become more striking.

Differential diagnosis:

Torsion of testicular or epididymal appendage
- This condition usually occurs in children aged 7-12 years.
- Systemic symptoms are rare.
- Usually, localized tenderness occurs but only in the upper pole of the testis.
- Occasionally, the blue dot sign is present in light-skinned boys.
Epididymitis, orchitis, epididymo-orchitis
- These conditions most commonly occur from the reflux of infected urine or from sexually acquired disease caused by gonococci and Chlamydia.
- Patients occasionally develop these conditions following excessive straining or lifting and the reflux of urine (chemical epididymitis).
- These conditions may be secondary to an underlying congenital, acquired, structural, or urologic abnormality and are often accompanied by systemic signs and symptoms associated with urinary tract infection.
- Pyuria, bacteriuria, or leucocytosis is possible.
- A complete urological evaluation (ie, renal sonography, urodynamic study) is necessary in prepubertal boys with acute epididymitis.
Hydrocele (usually associated with patent processus vaginalis)
- Painless swelling is usually present.
- Scrotal contents can be visualized with transillumination.
- Incarcerated hernia may be diagnosed by careful examination of the inguinal canal.
Testis tumor
- Scrotal enlargement occurs, only rarely accompanied by pain.
- Presentation is rarely acute.
Idiopathic scrotal edema
- Scrotal skin is thickened, edematous, and often inflamed.
- The testis is not tender and is of normal size and position.

Indications

If clinical evaluation reveals testicular torsion, transfer the patient to the operating room for urgent scrotal exploration, regardless of the number of hours since the onset of presenting symptoms.

Relevant Anatomy

For normal development and sperm production, the testis must descend from its original position near the kidney into the scrotum. Researchers propose that various mechanisms, including gubernacular traction and intra-abdominal pressure, are responsible for testicular descent; however, endocrine factors of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis also play a major role in this process. Between the 12th and 17th week of gestation, the testis undergoes transabdominal migration to a location near the internal inguinal ring. The testis does not migrate transinguinally to its final position until the seventh month of gestation.

The testes are paired ovoid structures that are housed in the scrotum and positioned so that the long axis is vertical. The anterolateral two thirds of the organ is free of any scrotal attachment. The epididymis, connective tissue, and vasculature cover the posterolateral aspect of the organ. The capsule of the testis is termed the tunica albuginea.

Workup

Laboratory Studies

If the patient does not show clinical evidence of testicular torsion, a urinalysis and culture may help exclude urinary tract infection and epididymitis as the etiology of the scrotal complaints.
If testicular torsion is clinically suggested, perform immediate surgical exploration, regardless of laboratory studies because a negative finding upon exploration of the scrotum is more acceptable than the loss of a salvageable testis.

Imaging Studies

The following diagnostic tests may be useful when a low suspicion of testicular torsion exists:
- Scrotal color Doppler sonogram is usually diagnostic by verifying arterial flow.
- Nuclear testicular scan can help differentiate torsion from acute epididymitis by demonstrating cold spot and ring signs.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Manual detorsion of the torsed testis may be attempted but is usually difficult because of acute pain during manipulation. This nonoperative detorsion is not a substitute for surgical exploration. If successful (ie, confirmed by color Doppler sonogram in a patient with complete resolution of symptoms), perform definitive surgical fixation of the testes before the patient leaves the hospital as an urgent—rather than emergent—procedure.

Surgical Therapy

Treatment of testicular torsion varies according to patient age.

Treat patients who are born with testicular torsion by performing early elective exploration and contralateral orchidopexy (anchoring) because bilateral (synchronous or asynchronous) neonatal testicular torsion is described.
The potential for salvage of such a testis is nil, making the risk of immediate surgery before complete stabilization of the newborn unwarranted.
In distinct contrast, a newborn with a normal testis at birth who subsequently undergoes torsion requires immediate exploration.
Perform the operation through the midline scrotal raphe.
Enter the ipsilateral scrotal compartment; then, deliver and untwist the testis.
Evaluate the testis for viability.
Remove the necrotic testis to avoid prolonged, debilitating pain and tenderness. Retention of a necrotic testis may exacerbate the potential for subfertility, presumably because of development of an autoimmune phenomenon.
To prevent subsequent torsion, fix viable gonads to the scrotal wall with 3-4 nonabsorbable sutures. Perform both exploration and anchoring of the contralateral testis through the same incision.

Intraoperative Details

Signs of a viable testis after detorsion (see Image 3) include a return of color, return of Doppler flow, and arterial bleeding after incision of tunica albuginea.

Postoperative Details

Testicular prosthesis placement
- Patients requiring an orchiectomy because of a nonviable testis may benefit from the placement of a testicular prosthesis.
- Delay this placement, usually for 6 months, until healing is complete and inflammatory changes resolve.
- Perform the prosthetic placement through an inguinal incision.

Complications

Torsion of the spermatic cord continues to be one of the few emergencies in urologic practice. Delay of more than 6-8 hours between onset of symptoms and the time of surgical (or manual) detorsion reduces the salvage rate to 55-85%. A correlation may exist between the duration of torsion and abnormal semen parameters, and some authorities suggest that retention of an injured testis can induce pathologic changes to the contralateral testis.

Outcome and Prognosis

Success in the management of spermatic cord torsion is measured by immediate testicular salvage and incidence of late testicular atrophy, which are, in turn, directly related to the duration and degree of testicular torsion. Delaying surgical intervention worsens the intraoperative testicular salvage and incidence rate and the extent of subsequent testicular atrophy. The delay between the onset of symptoms and the time of surgical or manual detorsion is obviously of utmost importance in achieving a viable testis.

Future and Controversies

Recent studies show that exocrine and endocrine function is substandard in men with a history of unilateral torsion. The following 3 theories explain the contralateral disease noted in torsion:

Unrecognized or unreported repeated injury to both testes
Preexisting pathologic condition predisposing to both abnormal spermatogenesis and torsion of the spermatic cord
Induction of pathologic changes in the contralateral testis by retention of the injured testis

To explain the decreased fertility observed in unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord, several specialists suggest an autoimmune mechanism. This hypothesis is based upon the following:

Knowledge of the blood-testis barrier, which isolates the luminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule
Inducing experimental allergic orchitis
Likening contralateral testicular disease to sympathetic ophthalmia, a cell-mediated immune response

Multimedia

Media file 1: Testicular torsion: (A) extravaginal; (B) intravaginal.

Media file 2: A 17-year-old teenager with a 72-hour history of scrotal pain.

Media file 3: Intraoperative findings in testicular torsion.

References

Barada JH, Weingarten JL, Cromie WJ. Testicular salvage and age-related delay in the presentation of testicular torsion. J Urol. Sep 1989;142(3):746-8. [Medline].
Brandt MT, Sheldon CA, Wacksman J, Matthews P. Prenatal testicular torsion: principles of management. J Urol. Mar 1992;147(3):670-2. [Medline].
Johnston BI, Wiener JS. Intermittent testicular torsion. BJU Int. May 2005;95(7):933-4. [Medline].
Lewis AG, Bukowski TP, Jarvis PD, et al. Evaluation of acute scrotum in the emergency department. J Pediatr Surg. Feb 1995;30(2):277-81; discussion 281-2. [Medline].
Mor Y, Pinthus JH, Nadu A, et al. Testicular fixation following torsion of the spermatic cord--does it guarantee prevention of recurrent torsion events?. J Urol. Jan 2006;175(1):171-3; discussion 173-4.
Rabinowitz R, Hulbert WC Jr. Acute scrotal swelling. Urol Clin North Am. Feb 1995;22(1):101-5. [Medline].
Smith-Harrison LI, Koontz WW. Torsion of the Testis: Changing Concepts. AUA Updates. 1990;32.
Sun J, Liu GH, Zhao HT, Shi CR. Long-term influence of prepubertal testicular torsion on spermatogenesis. Urol Int. 2006;77(3):275-8.

Keywords

testicular torsion, intravaginal testicular torsion, extravaginal testicular torsion, torsion of the spermatic cord, torsion of the testis, epididymitis, orchitis, epididymo-orchitis, pyuria, bacteriuria, leucocytosis, contralateral orchidopexy, orchiectomy, testicular necrosis, testicular atrophy, scrotal swelling, intermittent testicular torsion, acute scrotum, bell-clapper deformity

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Eugene Minevich, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Urology, University of Cincinnati
Eugene Minevich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, and American Urological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Leslie Tackett, MD, Fellow, Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital Medical Center at Cincinnati
Leslie Tackett, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Urological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Raymond Rackley, MD, Professor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at CWRU; Co-Section Head, Section of Voiding Dysfunction and Female Urology, Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Raymond Rackley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Urological Association
Disclosure: Pfizer, Novartis, Proctor & Gamble, Allergan Honoraria None; Pfizer, Novartis, Proctor & Gamble, Allergan Consulting fee Other

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Shlomo Raz, MD, Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine
Shlomo Raz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, and California Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

J Stuart Wolf, Jr, MD, FACS, David A Bloom Professor of Urology, Director, Division of Minimally Invasive Urology, Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical Center
J Stuart Wolf, Jr, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, Catholic Medical Association, Endourological Society, Society for Urology and Engineering, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and Society of University Urologists
Disclosure: Terumo Corporation Consulting fee Consulting; Omeros Corporation Consulting fee Consulting

Chief Editor

William J Cromie, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Health Care, Capital District Physicians' Health Plan
William J Cromie, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, Medical Society of the State of New York, Société Internationale d'Urologie (International Society of Urology), Society for Pediatric Urology, Society of University Urologists, and Society of Uroradiology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Further Reading