Consumer Information

Testicular Torsion

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Testicular (tes-TIK-u-lar) torsion (TOR-shun) is a condition where the spermatic cord that holds the testicle gets twisted. Blood vessels inside the spermatic cord may get pinched and blood flow to the testicle may get blocked. When blood flow to the testicle stops, it may get an infection, get smaller, and die. This condition usually happens to only one testicle, but may also happen to both. It usually affects babies up to one year of age and children 12 to 18 years of age. The cause of this condition is not always known. It may be a birth defect, or appear when you exercise and play sports a lot. Living in a cold environment or having an injury to the groin may increase your risk for this condition.
Signs and symptoms may include a sudden severe pain, redness, and swelling of your scrotum. You may also have a fever, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), and vomiting (throwing up). Your caregiver may use scintigraphy or ultrasound to look for problems in your scrotum. Treatment aims to bring back the flow of blood to the affected testicle. You may get better on your own if the spermatic cord untwists by itself. If it does not improve, your caregiver will untwist the testicle and spermatic cord by hand or with surgery. Your caregiver may give you medicines for fever and pain, and antibiotics to treat infection. Diagnosing and treating this condition as soon as possible may relieve your symptoms and prevent further problems.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Treatment of testicular torsion may carry certain risks. Medicines for your condition may have some unwanted side effects. They may cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. During surgery, you may bleed more than the usual or get an infection. Even after treatment, your testicle may still get smaller or have decreased sperm and hormone production.
If left untreated, the testicle without any flow of blood may get an infection, get smaller, and die. If there is already a lot of damage, the affected testicle may be removed completely. You may have some difficulty making a woman pregnant and your sex drive may decrease. If both testicles have to be removed, you will be sterile (unable to make babies). Call your caregiver if you have questions about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your stomach and control vomiting (throwing up). Pain medicine may upset your stomach and make you feel like vomiting. Because of this, pain medicine and anti-nausea medicine are often given at the same time.
Medicines for pain, swelling, or fever: You may be given medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever while you are in the hospital. These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of bleeding in your stomach, or any other medical problems. Also tell your caregiver about any allergies you have to medicines. Tell your caregiver about all other medicines, herbs, and supplements that you have taken lately.

Tests:

Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
Scintigraphy: This test uses radioactive dye to check blood flow in the spermatic cord. The dye helps the blood vessels show up better on the x-rays. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you have any allergies.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a simple test that looks inside your body. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a TV-like screen. Your caregiver checks for problems in your testicles and spermatic cord, including abnormal blood flow.
Urine sample: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. Your caregiver may give you a special wipe and clean cup. Use the wipe to clean the skin around the opening where you pass urine. Urinate into the clean cup. Put the lid on the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup or the lid. Give the urine sample to your caregiver.

Treatment options:

Surgery: Your caregiver may have to make an incision (cut) on your scrotum to reach and untwist the affected testicle. Your caregiver may then attach the affected testicle to the wall of your scrotum, to prevent it from twisting again. The unaffected testicle may also be attached to the scrotum to avoid testicular torsion.

Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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