Scrotal Swelling

`By
Kasyeba Sowedi
MBChB-III
 Outline
• Anatomy of the scrotum
• Differential diagnosis
• Approach to a patient with scrotal
swelling
• Painfull scrotal swelling
• Painless scrotal swelling
 The wall of scrotum has the following
layers(imp for mcq)
1-skin
2-superficial fascia
3-external spermatic fascia
derived from the external
oblique
4-cremasteric muscle derived
from the internal oblique
5- internal spermatic fascia
derived from the fascia
transversalis
6-tunica vaginalis(remnant of
Peritoneum )
• Coverings of the spermatic cord:
* Tunica vaginalis covers the anterior surface of
the spermatic cord just above the testis
* Internal spermatic fascia
(transversalis/endoabdominal fascia)
* Cremasteric fascia (fascia of internal oblique
muscle)
* External spermatic fascia (aponeurosis of the
external oblique muscle)
* The cremasteric fascia contains loops of
cremasteric muscle, which draws the testis
superiorly in the scrotum when it is cold.
 Contents of spermatic cord
• Ductus deferens (conveys sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory
duct)
* Arteries
* Testicular artery (arises from the abdominal aorta at L2)
* Artery of the ductus deferens (arises from inferior vesical artery)
* Cremasteric artery (arises from the inferior epigastric artery)
* Veins
* Pampiniform plexus (formed by up to 12 veins, drain into right and left
testicular veins)
* Nerves
* Sympathetic nerve fibers on arteries
* Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers on the ductus deferens
* Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve supplying the cremaster
muscle
* Lymphatics
* Lymphatic vessels draining the testis and closely associated structures
* lumbar lymph nodes
 ASSESMENT
We have 3 ways of DDX of scrotal swellings ;
1- acute vs chronic
2- painful vs painless
3- get above it vs can’t
Differential diagnosis of scrotal
swelling
 APPROACH TO A PATIENT WITH
SCROTAL SWELLING.
• History
– timing of onset: acute or insidious onset
– associated symptoms or prior episodes
– age at presentation
• Physical examination
– general appearance
– lie of testes(to diffrentiate between torsion and epidiymo
orchitis), scrotal skin, fluid collection,
– testes or epididymis tenderness
– Get above the swelling ?
 Investigation:

• Urinalysis: bacteria, WBC’s, crystals

– commonly in epididymitis
• Obtain urine culture(why ? If pt have +ve
culture with epidedmytise R/O congenital
anomaly by US or MCUG (in pediatrics )
• CBC may be helpful
• Radiographic studies
– Ultrasonography , Nuclear Scan
– Doppler US.
 Diagnostic test
Color Doppler ultrasound

• Noninvasive assessment of
anatomy and determining
the presence or absence of
blood flow.
– sensitivity: 88.9%
specificity of 98.8%
– operator dependent.
FIGURE 1. Color Doppler
ultrasonogram showing acute
torsion affecting the left testis
in a 14-year-old boy who had
acute pain for four hours. Note
decreased blood flow in the left
testis compared with the right
testis
 Color Doppler ultrasound

FIGURE 3. Color Doppler

FIGURE 2. Color Doppler ultrasonogram showing
ultrasonogram showing late torsion inflammation (epididymitis) in
affecting the right testis in a 16- a 16-year-old boy who had
year-old boy who had pain for 24 pain in the left testis for 24
hours. Note increased blood flow
around the right testis but absence hours. Note increased blood
of flow within the substance of the flow in and around the left
testis. testis.
• Color Dopplar US is imp to differentiate between
epidedmytis and torsion , the first we will see high
blood supply in the affected site(infection) while
in the second decrease blood supply(torsion )
 PAINFUL
SCROTAL
SWELLING
 1-Testicular torsion(imp)
• It is an Emergency.
• Due to twisting of the testis
with interference to the arterial
blood supply.
• May have torsion of cord or
appendages.
• Incidence is highest between
10-20 y.o.
 Clinical Feature
• Testicular pain
&swelling( Sudden)
radiating to the lower
abdomen

• Nausea and vomiting

• previous similar
episode
• No voiding complaints
• Most cases spontaneous torsion.
• Anterior surface of each testis run towards the
midline.
 Types:
 Extravaginal:
exclusive to
perinatal (torsion, the
testis, spermatic cord and
tunica vaginalis twist en
bloc) .It is usually
ASYMPTOMATIC(cuz we
discover it early before
appearnce of
symptoms )...and therefore
could be managed by
observation.
A) extravaginal; (B)
 Intravaginal: 90%
intravaginal
of adolescent age
group.
- extravaginal in Regarding Rx;
neonates , and means - In adults we do a
the whole unit torte . testicular incision
- Intravaginalis in adults - in children we do
, means the testes inguinal incision ? Cuz
only tort around it self it’s usually associated
while the tunica with hernia
vaginalis is not
• On Ex:
• Swollen, painful, testis
drawn up to the groin.
• Absent of cremastic
reflex on the affected
site
• Elevation of scrotum
doesn’t provide relife of
pain (-ve prehn sign )
• If you in doubt in case of
acute painful scrotum so
the scrotum must be
explored.
• If untreated infarction of
testis will result.
• Untwisting should be
carried on within 6 hrs. of
symptoms.
• The best "test" to
diagnose torsion is
SURGICAL
EXPLORATION once
suspected
 management
• Rx: EMERGANCY
 Explore the testis.
 Untwist the testis.
 If viable so fix to scrotum
by anchoring it to scrotal
septum and if the other
testis is abnormal fix it.
 If infarcted so remove it.
 2-Torsion of testicular
appendage(imp):
• Most common structure to twist
is the appendix of the testis
(pedunculated hydatid of
morgagni )
• Usually a more gradual onset,
pain moderately severe
• Blue dot sign.
• Age:12 – 24 years age .

Blue dot sign.

 Management
• If dx is in question, surgical
exploration
Rx ;
- If ur not sure if it’s 1 or 2 do an exploration
surgery .
- If ur sure Rx conservatively
• immediate operation with ligation
and amputation of the twisted
appendage.
• when the appendix torsion is late in
presentation, it could resemble testicular
torsion
 3-Testicular trauma
• Usually in sports
injuries or violance.
• may result in bleeding
into the layers of tunica
vaginalis resulting in
haematocele.
• S&S: severe pain,
scrotal swelling,
bruising, tender,
enlarged testis.
 Management
• Investigation:
– scrotal ultrasound (beware of an underlying malignancy).
• Treatment: CONSERVATIVE
• Bed rest
• Scrotal elevation
• Surgical exploration may be needed if:
1- expanding scrotal hematoma
2- To evacuate the haematocele and to repair the split in
tunica albugenea.
3- very severe pain
 4- Infections of testis & epididymis
• May be acute or chronic.
• Acute or chronic orchitis may be due to mumps.
• Acute epididymo-orchitis may be due to coliform
organisms or gonorrhoea.
• Also can follow instrumentation or operations on
prostate.
• Chronic epididymo-orchitis :common cause of is a
partially treated acute one & TB or brucellosis .
 clinical features :
• pain, edematous, swelling redness of the scrotum,
often associated with pyrexia.
• +/- symptoms of UTI
• In children differentiation from torsion is often
impossible and scrotum should be explored.
• Enlarged tender testis and epididymis.
Prehn sign is +ve
Bilatral swelling and pain could be caused by
lymphoma
 Management
• Investigation:
– FBC, MSU, Early morning urine specimens for TB culture.
• Treatment:
 Acute: Bed rest, Analgesia,
 ABx: I.V cipro until culture and sensitivity.
• Examine the pt in 3 days, if better continue antibiotics, , if pain
worsens, consider chronic causes
 Chronic: TB-antituberculous drugs.
 Orchidectomy if fails.
 Long ABx treatment for non tuberculous epididymo-orchitis.
 PAINLESS
SCROTAL
SWELLING
 1- Hydrocele;
• Is collection of abnormal
quantity of serous fluid in
the tunica vaginalis.If it
contains pus or blood it is
called pyocele or
haematocele
respectively.Hydrocele is
more common than the
two other varieties.
 etiology

1-primary;(newborns)
• The cause is unknown
• Associated with patency
of proccessus vaginalis.

• It is classified as follows;
1-communicating;
it connect with the
peritoneal cavity.

2-
noncommunicating;
it dose not connect
with peritoneal
cavity.
2- secondary; where the fluid
accumulate secondary to pathology
inside the testis like epididymo-
orchitis,testicular tumor and trauma.
infection --- increase production
+decrease excretion
 Clinical presentation;
 Age;
 primary hyrocele are most common newborns
 Secondary are more common between 20 to 40 years.
 Symptoms;
 1-painless swelling
2-frequent and painful micturation may occur if hydrocele is
secondary to epididymo-orchitis
 Hydrocele not affect fertility
 Clinical picture
Examination;
 Position; the swelling usually unilateral but can be bilateral
.if communicating can not feel the cord above the lump.
 Colour and temperature; normal
 Tenderness; primary are not tender but secondary may be
tender
 Composition; fluctuant and have fluid thrill if large enough
 Reducibility; can not be reduced
 Testis impalpable(In communicating type) and
transillumenate
transilluminate
 Mangement;
Primary; in children
Communicating;
most neonatal hydrocele resolve in first 2 year of
life if persists repair as herniotomy(inguinal
incision ).
NEVER do surgery before 2 years of age.(EXCEPT in
1- very large amount -2- if can’t differentiate between it and hernia
3- increase intrabdominal pressure)
NEVER do needle aspiration EVEN in the non- communicating
type(cuz it will reaccumulate)
Noncommunicating;
usually resolves spontaneously
 In adult; surgical excision; opening the tunica
vaginalis longitudinally (scrotal incision ), emptying
the hydrocele, everting the sac after excising the
redundant sac and suturing the sac behind the cord
thus obliterating the potential space
 Secondary treatment of the underlying condition
Case ;
40 y old man came with painless , transeluminate hydrocele .
What's ur next step ?
A; do an US for scrotom to R/O testicular tumor
 2- Indirect inguinal hernia:
– most common ( young , Rt. Side )
– 10% bilateral .
– Hernia in babies are a result of persistent processus
vaginalis.
– If strangulated >> painful and may cause testicular
atrophy due to ischemia
– Surgery is usually recommended .
3-Varicocele
 Definition
• Is dilatation and tortuosity of the pampiniform plexus, which
is the network of veins that drain the testicle.
• Due to defective valve or compression of the vein by a nearby
structure, can cause dilatation of the veins

• Very common about 20-30% of normal population will have

some degree of varicocele.
• More common on left side in 98% of cases.
• Bilatral in up to 50% of cases.
• Always remember it’s not painful ..
 IMP
Primary varicocele :
is ONLY +ve at standing
Secondary varicocele : is when varicocele is +ve
at BOTH standing and supine positions.
Secondary varicocele could be a sign of a retroperitoneal mass
like Renal Cell Carcinoma, Wilms tumor and
phaeochromocytoma
- Do retroperitonial US to role out renal ca in 2 cases ;
1- varicocele on the rt side
2- secondary .
 Clinical feature
1. Appear on standing and disapear on lying down.
2. Heavy or dragging sensation in scrotum.
3. The veins often described as ‘bag of worms’ but
feeling like a ’plate of lukewarm spaghetti’.
4. The affected testes may be small.
5. 90% of Bilateral varicocele may cause infertility.
6. Be caution that a sudden onset of a left varicocele
which does not disapear on lying down in old
patient may be due to an obstruction of left renal
vein by a renal cell carcinoma.
 managment
• Diagnosis:
– Clinical and US.
• Treatment:
 No treatment required in asymptomatic.
 If symptomatic so intervention required either by
embolization and oblitration under radiological control or
if surgery indicated varecocelectomy is via inguinal
approach,all testicular veins being ligated at deep inguinal
ring.
 In Rx we can do either open or laparoscopic
varecocelectomy .
4- Epididymal cyst
 Epididymal cyst (spermatocele)
• Cysts arise from
diverticula of the vasa
efferentia, they are fluid
filled cysts connected with
epididymis.
• May be small ,large
,multiple, uni or bilateral.
• Usually occur over 40
years.
• S&S: Scrotal swelling,
slowly enlarges, painless.
• Lie above and slightly
behind the testes.
• You can get above it.
 Epididymal cyst
• Usually smooth and lobulated, fluctuant,
transilluminates if contains clear fliud.
• Rx : none unless large or painfull , so surgical
excision, and that will compromise the fertility of the
testis.
 5- Idiopathic scrotal edema :
• Difficult to distinguish from torsion/tumor
• Ages 4 to 12
• Sudden onset, unilateral or bilateral but commonly
bilatral .
• Minimal tenderness
• Normal gonads by U/S Pathognomic sign is thickness
of scrotal wall on US
• Self limiting process
– conservative treatment
 6- Testicular cancer
• The commonest malignancy
in young men.
• 90% arise from germ cells
and are either seminomas or
teratomas.
• 10% are lymphomas, sertoli
cell tumours or leyding cell
tumours.
• Imperfectly descended testes
have a 20-30 The commonest
malignancy in young men.
 Clinical feature
• Painless solid swelling of the testis.
• Heaviness in the scrotum.
• May be Hx of trauma.
• Palpable abdominal mass.
• Spread to para-aortic nodes and to left
supraclavicular node.
• Chest symptoms due to metastases.
 Investigation
 US to the testis
 CXR
 Tumour markers: AFP, βHCG, LDH
 CT scan
 treatment
RADICAL INGUNAL ORCHEDICTOMY .

• If metastasized :
1. If seminoma: Radiotherapy plus chemotherapy.
2. If teratoma: combination chemotherpay 3
drugs(etoposide, vinblastine, methotrexate,
bleomycin, cisplastin)