Testicular loss following bacterial epididymo-orchitis: Case report and literature review

Authors

  • Sasha Rachel Fehily Alfred Health
  • Jason Trubiano Alfred Health
  • Catriona McLean Alfred Health
  • Boon Wei Teoh Alfred Health
  • Jeremy Peter Grummet Alfred Health
  • Catherine Louise Cherry Alfred Health; Monash University; Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute; University of the Witwatersrand
  • Olga Vujovic Alfred Health

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2174

Keywords:

epididymo-orchitis, testicular abscess, testicular infarction, ultrasound.

Abstract

Epididymo-orchitis rarely leads to abscess formation and global testicular infarction/loss, particularly in the setting of appropriate antibiotic therapy. The imaging modality used when monitoring for testicular ischemia is ultrasonography. However, as described in the literature, testicular pathology may not be evident on routine imaging. We describe two cases of recurrent bacterial epididymo-orchitis, complicated by testicular abscess resulting in testicular infarction. This rare, nevertheless significant, complication occurred in both patients despite receiving appropriate extended antibiotic therapy. Both cases demonstrate the limitations of ultrasonography alone, suggesting that a high level of clinical suspicion must be maintained when ultrasound evaluation proves to be inconsistent with the clinical presentation. These cases demonstrate the importance of monitoring for warning signs of ischemia, as early recognition may lead to reperfusion interventions and ultimately testicular salvage.

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Author Biographies

Sasha Rachel Fehily, Alfred Health

Department of Infectious Diseases. Resident Medical Officer.

Jason Trubiano, Alfred Health

Department of Infectious Diseases. Senior Registrar.

Catriona McLean, Alfred Health

Department of Anatomical Pathology. Director.

Boon Wei Teoh, Alfred Health

Department of Surgery. Fellow.

Jeremy Peter Grummet, Alfred Health

Department of Surgery. Consultant Urologist.

Catherine Louise Cherry, Alfred Health; Monash University; Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute; University of the Witwatersrand

Department of Infectious Diseases. Infectious Diseases Physician.

Olga Vujovic, Alfred Health

Department of Infectious Diseases. Infectious Diseases Physician.

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Published

2015-03-11

How to Cite

Fehily, S. R., Trubiano, J., McLean, C., Teoh, B. W., Grummet, J. P., Cherry, C. L., & Vujovic, O. (2015). Testicular loss following bacterial epididymo-orchitis: Case report and literature review. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 9(3-4), e148–51. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2174

Issue

Section

Case Report