testicular torsion

Headline
Etiology twisting on spermatic cord → ischaemia +/- necrosis.
Epidemiology Risk factors: bell clapper deformity; trauma
Clinical presentation Sudden onset severe unilateral testicular pain
High riding testicle with horizontal lie; blue dot sign
Prehn's sign: ↑ pain with elevation of scrotum - does not rule out
Pathogenesis
Diagnostic investigations Some people might ask for an ultrasound. Perhaps it is merely delaying the inevitable: surgical exploration.
ddx: epididymo-orchitis
Management surgical exploration → orchiectomy vs orchidopexy depending on extent of tissue damage

TWIST (Testicular Workup for Ischemia and Suspected Torsion) Score

Proposed score for assessing testicular torsion in patients < 18 years of age (Barbosa 2013) and (Frohlich 2017)

Finding Points
Testicular swelling 2
Hard testicle 2
Absent cremasteric reflex 1
Nausea or vomiting 1
High-riding testicle 1
  • PPV 100% when 7 points
  • NPV 96% when <5 points
  • likely rule in rather than rule out