
Testicular Pain
Differentials
Testicular torsion (surgical emergency)
Epididymitis
Testicular trauma
Testicular cancer
Hydrocele
Varicocele
Inguinal hernia
Prostatitis
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History
Trauma to testes
Dysuria or urethral discharge
Systemic symptoms (fever, malaise)
Recent sexual activity
Swelling or tenderness of scrotum
Abdominal pain
Recent surgeries
Family history of testicular cancer
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Examination
Fever
Prehn’s sign:
Positive in epididymitis (pain relief with scrotal elevation)
Negative in torsion
Cremasteric reflex:
Absent in torsion
Present in epididymitis
Other findings:
High-riding testes (torsion)
Testicular swelling
Transillumination (hydrocele)
Tender epididymis
"Bag of worms" sensation (varicocele)
Inguinal masses or prostate tenderness
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Investigations
Urine MCS and PCR for chlamydia/gonorrhoea
Doppler ultrasound: Differentiate torsion (reduced blood flow) from epididymitis (increased blood flow)
Tumour markers (AFP, β-hCG): If cancer suspected
FBC: Assess for infection
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Key Notes
Varicocele: Manage conservatively unless testicular atrophy or reduced sperm quality; consider surgical ligation or embolisation in <21 years
Torsion: Requires detorsion within 6 hours for salvage
Epididymitis: Antibiotics targeting likely pathogens (e.g., STI or UTI)
Torsion = negative phrens and absence of cremasteric reflex
Epididymitis = positive phrens and presence of cremasteric reflex
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