Korean J Urol.
1995 Mar;36(3):285-289.
Torsion of Appendix Testis: 14 Cases
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Inje Unitersity, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- In spite of today's striking development of radiologic studies, the differential diagnosis of acute scrotal diseases is difficult. We studied 14 cases of appendix testis torsion that had visited our hospital from May 1991 to October 1994 in order to be diagnosed accurately and made appropriate treatment. The torsion of appendix testis occurred during prepubertal ages, and ages of our 14 cases were from 3 to 13, and average age was 9.6 years old. In all of our cases the chief complaint was scrotal pain. The localized pain and palpable tender mass of testicular upper pole were present in only 8 of 14 cases and 5 cases had blue dot sign. These were very helpful in diagnosis of torsion of appendix testis. Doppler ultrasonography was done in 9 cases and radionuclide scrotal imaging was done in 3 cases, but none of these studies were diagnosed as torsion of appendix testis definitely. But in 8 cases that had positive blue dot sign and/or localizing tender mass in upper pole of testis, we could diagnose torsion of appendix testis certainly. We operated 11 of l4 cases( scrotal exploration and excision of torsed appendix testis) and treated conservatively 3 of 14. Most 11 operated cases were revealed that scrotal pains were relieved within 24 hours of postoperative period and secondary complications did not occurred in 3 cases treated conservatively. In summary, the early surgical exploration is necessary to improve maximal testicular salvage when testis torsion cannot be ruled out completely in acute scrotal diseases. But if testis torsion can be ruled out completely, conservative treatment may be considered in torsion of appendix testis.
