title: Testicular torsion on the Jos Plateau.
abstract: In order to determine the pattern and the factors that influenced outcome, we retrospectively studied fifty-seven patients with torsion of the testis admitted to the Jos University Teaching hospital between August 1993 and July 2001. The age ranged from 2 to 55 years with a mean of 22.7 years. Majority (79%) of the patients were in the second and third decades of life. The main suspected precipitating factors in this study were cold weather and scrotal trauma: in 28% of the cases no cause could be ascertained. Eight (14%) patients presented within 4 hours and 35 (61%) presented after 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Both sides were equally affected. Testicular pain, retraction and scrotal swelling were the most common presenting complaints. The highest incidence 65%) occurred between November and February when the weather on the Jos plateau is coldest. At surgery, 34 (60%) patients were found to have associated congenital anomalies; in 22 (39%) patients, the testis was non-viable. There was no mortality in this series and the complications were superficial wound infection (14%), testicular atrophy (7%) and sub-fertility (16%). High index of suspicion in a patient with acute scrotum, prompt and effective surgery will improve testicular salvage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Dakum
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yiltok
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mbah
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Legbo
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Uba
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Orkar
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Ramyil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015985:Precipitating Factors; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors