title: Acute scrotal pain needs prompt investigation.
abstract: Scrotal pain must first be differentiated as either acute or chronic in nature. In acute pain, it is important to identify and specifically treat the aetiology. In chronic scrotal pain, if a potential cause is found on examination or investigation, where possible it should be treated first. Often, chronic scrotal pain does not have an easily identifiable aetiology and management can be difficult. Initially, conservative measures should be tried. If these treatments fail, the patient should be referred to a urologist for further evaluation and a multidisciplinary team approach should be used. Surgical intervention may be needed for cases of idiopathic chronic pain.
authors.affiliation: Southmead Hospital, Bristol.
authors.forename: Nimalan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arumainayagam
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gillatt
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D012611:Scrotum