Urology

SCROTAL SWELLINGS

Dr,mohamed fawzi alshahwani

anatomy

Testicle supplied by testicular artery from aorta and drained by spermatic or testicular vein to the inferior vena cava in the right, and left renal vein in the left. Lymphatic drainage to the para aortic lymph nodes.

Common localized swellings

Hydrocele Indirect inguinal hernia Varicocele Torsion of testes Infection (orchitis & epididymitis) Tumors trauma Torsion of testicular or epididymal appendeges

Less common causes

Hematoma Idiopathic scrotal edema Sebaceous cyst Epididymal cyst spermatocele Fournier gangrene

Treatment

ABCDE Scrotal wound suturing in minor cases. Testicular exploration under GA and tunica albuginea repair or unilateral orchiectomy in distructed testis. In bilateral testicular injury some testicular tissue should be saved for hormonal ( androgen) supply.



Hydrocele
Excessive collection of clear serous fluid within tunica vaginalis. Types: Primary: (idiopathic) most common. Secondary: infection, tumour, trauma, patent processus vaginalis (communicating) or post operative eg. hernia or varicocele.

Types of hydrocele

Primary (idiopathic) hydrocele
Most common type, occurs in middle age, gradual onset, takes long time and reaches a very large distressing size . Pathology: (unknown), diminished fluid absorption by tunica vaginalis. Tunica may be thickened and calcified.

Complications

1- Rupture after trauma. 2- Infection after aspiration (pyocele). 3- Change into hematocele after trauma. 4, Calcification of the sac.

Clinical picture

Gradual onset of unilateral scrotal swelling. Examination variable size, cystic and smooth swelling. Can get above it. Negative cough impulse. Trans-illumination positive. Dull in percussion. The testicle is difficult to palpate non reducible ULTRASOUND,,,,diagnostic

Trans-illumination in hydrocele

Treatment
Indicated when it is large and cause patient disconfort.Surgical operations:Lord’s operationJabolley’sSubtotal excision it for sTapping (aspiration): rarely indicated ,mainly for patient who is unfit for surgery because f of recurrence and complication like infection and bleeding


Infantile (communicating) hydrocele
Present as scrotal swelling at or after birth due to failure of obliteration of the processus vaginalis. The swelling increases at crying and decrease at sleeping time. The condition may subside spontaneously during first year of life otherwise surgical ligation of the processus vaginalis is indicated to treat the condition.

Varicocele

Abnormal dilatation and toruosity of the pampiniform plexus of veins. Primary: (idiopathic) more common. Secondary: (due to renal tumor) rare.

varicocele

Primary varicocele
Affects tall young adults (15-30 y). Causes: congenital weakness of the venous valves, prolong standing, chronic increase intra abdominal pressure. It involves left side mostly because of more perpendicular course of the left testicular vein to the left renal vein. Rarely bilateral.

Secondary varicocelenote left side renal tumor

Clinical presentation:
Asymptomatic. Pain: dragging sensation specially on standing or hot weather. Sterility.

Examination:

Affected side hangs lower than normal. Varicocele disappear at lying down so ex. to be taken at standing position or during Valsalva maneuver , usually felt as a compressible cords ( bag of worms).. The affected testis is soft and atrophic. Abdominal ex is essential to exclude renal tumor

Complications:

Sterility: higher scrotal temp. may result in low sperm count, asthenospermia (low motility) and testicular atrophy. Secondary hydrocele. Repeated thrombosis..

Investigations:

Doppler u/s. Seminal fluid analysis. Abdominal u/s to exclude renal pathology.

Treatment:

Reassurance, scrotal support and avoidance of the hot places. Analgesia for pain. Surgical treatment indicated in: Pain not responding to treatment. Infertility (30-60% improvement) Associated conditions eg hernia adolescent.age

Types of surgery

Sub inguinal microscopic approach (best).Inguinal approach.Retroperitoneal (Paloma’ s).Laparoscopic. Radiologically controlled embolizationFor secondary varicocele the treatment directed to the cause.

Torsion of the testis (spermatic cord)

Torsion of the testis & epididymis around the axis of the spermatic cord. Resulting in ischemia and testicular gangrene. Predisposing factors: Imperfect descent. Long mesorchium. Abnormal lie.

Clinical picture:

Usually involve early teenagers. Sudden severe agonizing scrotal pain radiate to the lower abdomen or loin associated with vomiting and sweating. Ex. Swollen, red and severely tender scrotum.The testicle is higher in position and abnormal lie (transverse or oblique) (Angle’s sign).Scrotal elevation increases the pain,prehn sign.


Diagnosis:
Depends on the clinical picture, no fever. GUE: normal. Duplex U/S: avascular testis.

Torsion

Epididymo-orchitis
Teenagers
adulthood
Sudden onset
Gradual onset
No fever
Fever present
High testis level
normal
Abnormal lie
normal
Scrotal elevation increases pain
Pain decreased
Normal urine ex.
GUE show pus cells
Duplex US: avascular Cremasteric reflex abscent
Hypervascular Cremasteric reflex present

Appendicular torsion

Treatment
Urgent surgical exploration, even in suspicious cases because time factor is very important. The testis detorted if it is viable, and fixation to the dartuos muscle, or orchiectomy if it is gangrenous because antibodies may be formed against the healthy testis. Fixation of the other testis because of the presence of same predisposing factors.

Epididymo - orchitis

Acute infection of the testis and epididymis Routs of infection: 1- Ascending: in UTI, instrumentation, catheterization, or after cystoscope and TUR. 2- Blood borne infection. (post mumps). E.coli, proteus, staph, strept, and gonococcus.

Clinical picture

History of lower urinary symptom, instrumentation or mumps.Acute scrotal and groin pain.Constitutional symptoms of fever, rigor & malaise.Swollen red and edematous scrotal skin.Testis and epididymis are swollen tender and matted together, mild hydrocele is present.Scrotal elevation relieves pain (Prehn’s sign +ve)

Treatment

Rest & hydration. Scrotal support. Analgesia and antipyretics (NSAID). Broad spectrum A.B. (2-3 wks). Surgical drainage of the abscess. Residual swelling may remain for a month.

Fournier gangrene

Its necrotsing fasciitis of scrotal skinUsually occures in elderly with DMRapidly progressive with high mortalityTreatment…urgentAdmissionWound debridment and daily dressingParentral broad spectrum antibiotic

Thank you