title: Scrotal pain in the absence of torsion; need for vigilance.
abstract: Epididymitis is a common presentation of acute testicular pain seen in the emergency department, the differential diagnosis being testicular torsion. The vast majority of young men with epididymitis have an infective aetiology and this settle with antibiotic treatment. The clinical course of a patient who presented with testicular pain is described. At ultrasonography, the patient was found to have the uncommon condition of testicular microlithiasis, a condition that has been linked to malignant disease. Emergency doctors should be aware of the potential consequences of returning scrotal pain consistent with epididymitis to the community on antibiotic treatment alone. All patients with probable epididymitis should have either a scrotal ultrasound or specialist follow up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine, The Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK. drsvenketraman@ntlworld.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venketraman
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography