Torsion of the Appendices and Epididymis Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Jason S Chang, MD; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 13, 2012
 

History

The patient's history is important in distinguishing torsion of the testicular appendages from testicular torsion and other causes of acute scrotum.

  • Pain may be present.
    • Onset is usually acute, but pain may develop over time. Typically, it has a more gradual onset than testicular torsion.
    • Intensity ranges from mild to severe.
    • Patients may endure pain for several days before seeking medical attention.
    • The pain is located in the superior pole of the testicle. This is a key distinguishing factor from testicular torsion. A focal point of pain on the testicle is uncommon in complete testicular torsion.
  • Systemic symptoms are absent. Nausea and vomiting (frequently seen in testicular torsion) are usually not associated with this condition.
  • Urinary symptoms are absent. Dysuria and pyuria are not associated with torsion of the testicular appendages. Their presence is more indicative of epididymitis.
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Physical

Physical examination may reveal the following findings[2] :

  • The patient is afebrile with normal vital signs.
  • Although the scrotum may be erythematous and edematous, it usually appears normal.
  • An unreliable marker of pathology, the cremasteric reflex is usually intact. Several studies indicate that the presence of a cremasteric reflex in the acute scrotum is unlikely to be testicular torsion.
  • The testis should be nontender to palpation. If present, tenderness is localized to the upper pole of the testis. Diffuse tenderness is more common in testicular torsion.
  • The presence of a paratesticular nodule at the superior aspect of the testicle, with its characteristic blue-dot appearance, is pathognomonic for this condition. A blue-dot sign is present in only 21% of cases.
  • The combination of a blue-dot sign with clear palpation of an underlying normal, nontender testes allows for the exclusion of testicular torsion on clinical grounds alone.
  • Vertical orientation of the testes is preserved.
  • A study in 2005 scored 3 key historical elements as predictors for testicular torsion. Onset of pain less than 6 hours, absence of cremasteric reflex, and diffuse testicular tenderness. Out of 141 subjects, in the absence of any of these elements, none of the subjects had testicular torsion. With all 3 elements present, 87% were diagnosed with testicular torsion.[3]
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jason S Chang, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Jason S Chang, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Emergency Medicine Residents Association, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Theodore J Gaeta, DO, MPH, FACEP  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College; Vice Chairman and Program Director of Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital; Academic Chair, Adjunct Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, St George's University School of Medicine

Theodore J Gaeta, DO, MPH, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: Alliance for Clinical Education, American College of Emergency Physicians, Clerkship Directors in Emergency Medicine, Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors, New York Academy of Medicine, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Richard H Sinert, DO  Professor of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Research Director, State University of New York College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital Center

Richard H Sinert, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Sean O Henderson, MD, and Gregory Alfred, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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