DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Urologic Condition

Testicular Torsion

HIGH SEVERITY

A surgical emergency caused by twisting of the spermatic cord, cutting off blood supply to the testicle. Most common in adolescent males (ages 12-18) but can occur at any age. Requires immediate treatment within 6 hours to save the testicle. Affects 1 in 4,000 males under 25 annually.

Global Affected

500.0K

Countries

111

Symptoms

Sudden severe testicular pain
Swelling of scrotum
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Frequent urination
Testicle in abnormal position
High-riding testicle

Treatment Options

Emergency surgery (orchiopexy)
Manual detorsion (temporary)
Orchiectomy (if necrotic)
Bilateral orchiopexy
Pain management
Ice packs

Risk Factors

1Age 12-18 (peak incidence)
2Bell clapper deformity
3Undescended testicle
4Previous testicular torsion
5Family history
6Cold weather
7Physical activity

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Physical examination
  • 2Doppler ultrasound (blood flow)
  • 3Radionuclide scan (if ultrasound equivocal)
  • 4Urinalysis (rule out infection)
  • 5Surgical exploration (if high suspicion)

Prognosis

Time-dependent; testicle salvage rate 90-100% if surgery within 6 hours, 50% at 12 hours, <10% after 24 hours. Fertility may be affected even with salvage. Contralateral orchiopexy prevents recurrence. Long-term testosterone production usually maintained with one testicle.

Prevention

  • No primary prevention
  • Bilateral orchiopexy after first episode
  • Prompt medical attention for acute scrotal pain
  • Public education about emergency nature

Research Status

Emergency surgical detorsion and orchiopexy (fixation) is treatment of choice. Must be performed within 6 hours for best outcomes. Orchiectomy (removal) if testicle is non-viable. Contralateral orchiopexy always performed to prevent future torsion. Manual detorsion may be attempted as temporizing measure.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/testicular-torsion
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/testicular-torsion/symptoms-causes/syc-20378243
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.