Emergency Department Care

Supportive treatment includes the following:

Bed rest
Hot or cold packs for analgesia
Scrotal elevation

Most importantly, the physician must rule out testicular torsion.

Second, the physician should consider epididymo-orchitis and, if highly suspected, treat appropriately. This usually involves starting empiric antibiotic therapy.

If torsion is likely or if several hours have passed before the patient arrives in the ED, operative exploration is indicated.

Orchitis complicated by a reactive hydrocele or pyocele may require surgical drainage to reduce the pressure in the tunica.

If torsion is likely, urologic consultation is required for urgent surgical exploration.

If a significant hydrocele is detected or suspected, urologic consultation is necessary to evaluate the need for a surgical tapping to relieve the pressure on the tunica.

Follow-up care with a urologist is appropriate for an uncomplicated presentation of orchitis.

Medical Care

Symptoms of isolated orchitis usually resolve spontaneously in approximately 3-10 days, whereas epididymitis will usually resolve in a similar time frame after initiation of antibiotic treatment.

Supportive therapy includes the following:

Bed rest
Scrotal support
Analgesics
Hot or cold packs for analgesia: Elevation of the scrotum and placement of ice on the affected testis are specific comfort measures that should be recommended to the patient with orchitis; the patient should put a small pillow or a towel between the legs to elevate the scrotum and place ice on the affected testis for 10-15 minutes, 4 times a day, until pain resolves

Patients with a suspected sexually transmitted disease should be referred to their private physician or local health department for HIV testing.

Treatment can usually be performed as an outpatient with close follow-up. Indications for admission include the following:

Inability to take oral antibiotics
Suspicion of abscess formation
Failure of previous outpatient therapy
Signs of sepsis

Guidelines

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Author

Nataisia Terry, MD Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Nataisia Terry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine Residents' Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Walter W Valesky, Jr, MD Clinical Assistant Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

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

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

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, Vice-Chair in Charge of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital Center

Richard H Sinert, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, 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

Eric M Kardon, MD, FACEP Attending Emergency Physician, Georgia Emergency Medicine Specialists; Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Athens Regional Medical Center

Eric M Kardon, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Medical Association of Georgia

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Mark B Mycyk, MD Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Mark B Mycyk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.