Testicular Torsion
Overview
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
Images may be taken right away to confirm it. This can be done with Doppler ultrasound.
Emergency treatment may need to be started right away, before testing. The diagnosis will be confirmed during surgery.
Treatments
Treatment
This problem needs to be treated within 4 to 8 hours to prevent tissue death. The testicle may be untwisted by hand, but surgery will still be needed.
Surgery will restore blood flow, repair or remove any damaged tissue, and prevent further twisting. It may be done with either:
- Detorsion with orchiopexy to untwist the spermatic cord and secure each testicle to the wall of the scrotum to stop future twisting
- Orchiectomy with orchiopexy to remove a badly damaged testicle and secure the other testicle to the wall of the scrotum
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Torsion of the Spermatic Cord)
RESOURCES
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org
Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.healthychildren.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Caring for Kids—Canadian Paediatric Society http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca
The College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca
References
Tekgul S, Dogan HS, et al; European Society for Paediatric Urology and European Association of Urology (ESPU/EAU). Guidelines on paediatric urology. EAU 2017 Mar.
Testicle pain & testicular torsion. Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/genitourinary-tract/Pages/Testicular-Torsion.aspx. Accessed September 21, 2020.
Testicular torsion. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/testicular-torsion-13. Accessed September 21, 2020.
Testicular torsion. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/penile-and-scrotal-disorders/testicular-torsion. Accessed September 21, 2020.
Testicular torsion. Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/testicular-torsion. Accessed September 21, 2020.