testicular torsion

A man's testicle receives its blood supply through a structure called the spermatic cord. This cord can become twisted, cutting off blood to the testicle. This is known as torsion of the testicle.

 

In some men, the tissue surrounding the testicle is not well attached to the scrotum. This makes it easy for the testicle to become twisted around the spermatic cord. If not treated, the tissue of the testicle may die. This problem is more common at puberty. This is because the testicles grow to 5 or 6 times their previous size during this period.

 

Symptoms of this condition often include:

 

Torsion of one testicle may indicate that a man is at higher risk for the same condition on the other side. This is because the defect that makes it possible for the testicle to twist is often present on both sides. This condition can sometimes be due to testicular cancer that causes the testicle to increase dramatically in size.

In most cases, this condition cannot be prevented. If a man has torsion of one testicle and surgery is done, the other testicle is often anchored into place to prevent it from developing torsion in the future.

The diagnosis of testicular torsion is based primarily on a physical exam and a man's medical history. A painful, swollen scrotum makes a healthcare professional suspect this condition. In some cases special x-ray tests, most commonly a sonogram of the scrotum, can be helpful to make sure other conditions, such as infection, are not the cause of the symptoms.