Testicular Torsion
Basics
Description
- Twisting of testis and spermatic cord, resulting in acute ischemia and loss of testis if unrecognized:
- Intravaginal torsion: occurs within tunica vaginalis, only involves testis and spermatic cord
- Extravaginal torsion: involves twisting of testis, cord, and processus vaginalis as a unit; typically seen in neonates
- System(s) affected: reproductive
Geriatric Considerations
Rare in this age group
Pediatric Considerations
Peak incidence at age 14 years (1)[B]
Epidemiology
Incidence
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Initial incomplete twisting of spermatic cord causes venous obstruction, edema of testis, leading to ischemia.
- Complete twisting of the spermatic cord causes arterial occlusion, in addition to the above, leading to rapid ischemia.
- Congenital bell clapper deformity, which is bilateral in at least 2/5 of cases: A high mesorchium (the posterior lateral attachment of the testis to the tunica vaginalis) allows more room for the testis to twist within the tunica vaginalis and is associated intravaginal testicular torsion (2).
- No clear anatomic defect is associated with extravaginal testicular torsion:
- 20% of patients have a history of trauma.
- 1/3 have had prior episodic testicular pain.
- Contraction of cremaster muscle or dartos may play a role and is stimulated by trauma, exercise, cold, and sexual stimulation.
- Increased incidence may be due to increasing weight and size of testis during pubertal development.
- Torsion may occur in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Genetics
- Unknown
- Familial testicular torsion, although previously rarely reported, may involve as many as 10% of patients.
Risk Factors
- May be more common in colder months
- Paraplegia
- Previous contralateral testicular torsion
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Testicular Torsion." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 27th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2020. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116592/all/Testicular_Torsion.
Testicular Torsion. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2020. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116592/all/Testicular_Torsion. Accessed May 28, 2023.
Testicular Torsion. (2020). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (27th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116592/all/Testicular_Torsion
Testicular Torsion [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2020. [cited 2023 May 28]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116592/all/Testicular_Torsion.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELEC
T1 - Testicular Torsion
ID - 116592
ED - Domino,Frank J,
ED - Baldor,Robert A,
ED - Golding,Jeremy,
ED - Stephens,Mark B,
BT - 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Updating
UR - https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116592/all/Testicular_Torsion
PB - Wolters Kluwer
ET - 27
DB - Medicine Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -