[Traditional Chinese medicinal compress combined with herbal fumigation for acute epididymitis: A clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) compress combined with herbal fumigation in the treatment of acute epididymitis. METHODS: This study included 74 cases of acute epididymitis treated in our hospital from December 2021 to December 2023. Using the single blind and random number methods, we divided the patients into a trial (n = 37) and a control group (n = 37). On the basis of routine medication with antibiotics, we treated the patients in the trial group by TCM compress combined with herbal fumigation and those in the control group by dyed pure water compress combined with herbal fumigation. At 3, 7 and 14 days of treatment, we obtained the pain scores and maximum epididymal diameters from the patients and compared them between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the control and trial groups in the baseline pain scores (6.79 vs 6.85, P>0.05) and maximum epididymal diameters of the patients (ï¼»1.61 ± 0.39ï¼½ vs ï¼»1.59 ± 0.42ï¼½ cm, P>0.05) or in the pain scores after 3 days of treatment (4.63 ± 0.95 vs 4.45 ± 1.87, P>0.05). Compared with the controls, the patients of the trial group showed significantly lower pain scores (3.78 ±1.03 vs 1.02±0.36, P<0.05) and a higher overall effectiveness rate (75.68% vs 91.89%, P<0.05) at 7 days, and markedly shorter maximum epididymal diameters at 3 days (ï¼»1.45 ± 0.38ï¼½ vs ï¼»1.23 ± 0.72ï¼½ cm, P<0.05) and 7 days (ï¼»1.21 ± 0.29ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.98 ± 0.15ï¼½ cm, P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the control and trial groups in the pain scores (0.79 ± 1.12 vs 0.67 ± 0.86, P>0.05), maximum epididymal diameters (ï¼»0.94 ± 0.33ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.92 ± 0.21ï¼½ cm, P>0.05) or overall effectiveness rate (91.89% vs 97.30%, P>0.05) after 14 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: On the basis of routine medication with antibiotics, TCM compress combined with herbal fumigation can effectively relieve pain, reduce local swelling, accelerate recovery and shorten the course of treatment in patients with acute epididymitis, and is therefore worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Orquiepididimitis por Salmonella spp en un lactante bajo los tres meses de edad / Salmonella spp epididymo-orchitis in a infant under three months-old

El compromiso genitourinario en una infección causada por Salmonella spp es poco frecuente, especialmente en niños. Se presenta un paciente de 40 días de vida que presentó una orquiepididimitis por Salmonella entérica serotipo Newport, con documentación microbiológica en hemocultivos, cultivo de secreción escrotal y coprocultivo. No presentó compromiso del sistema nervioso central. Un tratamiento médico y quirúrgico tempranos permitieron la evolución favorable del paciente.

Genitourinary involvement in a Salmonella spp infection is rare, especially in pediatric patients. A 40-day-old patient who presented an orchiepididymitis due to Salmonella enterica Serotype Newport is reported, with microbiological documentation in blood cultures, culture of scrotal purulent material and stool culture. There was no involvement of the central nervous system. Early medical and surgical treatment allowed the favorable evolution of the patient.

Incidental Tuberculosis Epididymitis/Epididymo-orchitis: A Retrospective Analysis at a Tertiary Center in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the earliest noticeable manifestation and diagnosis in patients diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) epididymitis/epididymo-orchitis incidentally and to analyze their responses to surgical and medical treatment. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for the preliminary impression of chronic epididymitis/epididymo-orchitis or epididymal/testicular tumor from 2000 to 2019 were included in the study. The clinical presentations, laboratory data, radiological examinations, and operative findings were analyzed retrospectively. The outcomes were assessed by the responses to anti-TB chemotherapy and post treatment radiographic evaluations. RESULTS: All of our 25 patients with a mean age of 60.6 years were diagnosed incidentally with TB epididymitis (48.0%) and TB epididymo-orchitis (52.0%) according to the histopathological findings from their surgeries. The presence of a palpable scrotal mass (76.0%), was the major presentation. Nineteen (76.0%) patients had undergone complete chemotherapy after the surgery and 15 (78.9%) patients showed complete recovery. Four (21.1%) patients had unfavorable outcomes, 3 had TB autonephrectomies and 1 required re-surgery years after complete chemotherapy. Of the 3 (12.0%) patients who did not receive chemotherapy after their surgeries, 1 had a TB relapse in the spine and lung and 1 developed bladder cancer years later. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis epididymitis/epididymo-orchitis is difficult to diagnose. However, some clinical clues can assist including aged patients, extragenital TB histories, poor responses to antibiotic treatment and scrotal skin lesion. Complete anti-TB chemotherapy is mandatory even after the total removal of TB lesion. Supplemental surgical interventions can be considered when the symptoms are not relieved after chemotherapy. Lifespan follow-up is recommended due to high relapse rate.

Testicular appendage torsion in children.

BACKGROUND: Testicular appendage torsion (TAT) is a medical emergency that presents as an acute scrotum, usually in children and preadolescents. In previous reports of TAT, most cases have been treated conservatively, but some necessitate surgical treatment. Our aim was to examine the incidence, clinical examination findings, etiology, and treatment of TAT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients with TAT (aged ≤15 years) treated at the Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital between January 2012 and September 2020. Surgical treatment was performed when a diagnosis of testicular torsion could not be completely ruled out or if pain recurred after conservative treatment. Patients with a hard scrotum or scrotal erythema were hospitalized for conservative treatment. Data regarding age, diagnosis, blood test results, and clinical findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 101 boys with TAT, the median age was 10 years. The incidence of TAT varied significantly according to age and was highest among patients aged 8-11 years. Sixty-seven boys (66.3%) underwent inpatient surgical treatment, 10 boys (9.9%) received inpatient conservative treatment, and 24 boys (23.8%) received outpatient conservative treatment. The median duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter among those who underwent surgery (2.0 days) than among those who received inpatient conservative treatment group (3.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Operations were short, uncomplicated, and safe; they shortened the hospital stay; and they would certainly prevent recurrence of TAT and testicular torsion on one side. Furthermore, we recommended that TAT patients presenting with signs of severe inflammation, such as hard scrotum or scrotal erythema, receive early surgical treatment to minimize duration of hospitalization.

Differential Immune Response to Infection and Acute Inflammation Along the Epididymis.

The epididymis is a tubular structure connecting the vas deferens to the testis. This organ consists of three main regions-caput, corpus, and cauda-that face opposing immunological tasks. A means of combating invading pathogens is required in the distally located cauda, where there is a risk of ascending bacterial infections originating from the urethra. Meanwhile, immune tolerance is necessary at the caput, where spermatozoa with immunogenic neo-antigens originate from the testis. Consistently, when challenged with live bacteria or inflammatory stimuli, the cauda elicits a much stronger immune response and inflammatory-inflicted damage than the caput. At the cellular level, a role for diverse and strategically positioned mononuclear phagocytes is emerging. At the mechanistic level, differential expression of immunoprotective and immunomodulatory mediators has been detected between the three main regions of the epididymis. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about region-specific immunological characteristics and unveil possible underlying mechanisms on cellular and molecular levels. Improved understanding of the different immunological microenvironments is the basis for an improved therapy and counseling of patients with epididymal infections.

[Clinical effect of a scrotal rapid recovery dressing device in the treatment of acute epididymitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of a scrotal rapid recovery dressing device, scrotal girdle, on the scrotum of the patient with acute epididymitis, so as to improve the prognosis and the patient's satisfaction. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with acute epididymitis were treated in our hospital from December 2018 to November 2019, 60 with the scrotal girdle plus local cold compress in addition to antibiotics administration (the scrotal girdle group) and the other 60 with antibiotics only (the control group), all for 6 days. Then, comparisons were made between the two groups of patients in the improvement of scrotal swelling, total effectiveness rate and the patients' satisfaction with therapeutic outcomes. RESULTS: After 6 days of treatment, the patients in the scrotal girdle group, compared with the controls, showed significantly lower scrotal swelling scores (1.01 ± 0.34 vs 1.38 ± 0.20, P < 0.05), a higher total effectiveness rate (83.33% vs 65%, P < 0.05) and higher satisfaction with the therapeutic outcomes (86.67% vs 56.67%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of acute epididymitis, the application of the scrotal girdle for protection can significantly relieve scrotal pain and discomfort, improve the therapeutic effect and patients' satisfaction, and enhance the patients' recovery and quality of life.

A Teenager With Recurrent Epididymitis.

A 17-year-old man with a history of imperforate anus presented to clinic with recurrent epididymitis. A fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrogram demonstrated urethra-ejaculatory duct reflux. A narrowing was also noted in the distal prostatic urethra with dilation of the proximal urethra. Subsequent cystoscopy revealed a patent urethra with a hypertrophic external sphincter as the culprit. Pelvic floor physical therapy was undertaken with resolution of urinary symptoms and testicular pain.

Clinical state of the paediatric acute scrotum in south-eastern Victoria.

BACKGROUND: Acute scrotal pain is a common paediatric surgical presentation. Delays in treatment can result in testicular loss from torsion. It is unclear where delays occur. We aimed to investigate presentations with an acute scrotum to identify any potential areas of delay. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study (April 2017-November 2018) of paediatric patients (<18 years) presenting with acute scrotal pain. Data collected included: patient demographics, history/examination findings, mode of presentation, clinical timeline details and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 107 acute scrotum presentations were identified: 58 (54.2%) testicular appendage torsion, 23 (21.5%) testicular torsion, 6 (5.6%) epididymo-orchidits and 20 (18.7%) other diagnoses. Median age at presentation was 11 years (4 months-16 years). Fifty-seven (53.3%) underwent emergency surgery, of whom 23 (40.4%) had testicular torsion, with 2 requiring orchidectomy. Median time from onset of symptoms to seeking medical opinion was 5.5 (0-135) h. Once assessed by a medical professional, the route to paediatric surgical review via general practitioner (GP) and local emergency department (ED) to paediatric ED was 4.84 (1.67-24.5) h; via GP to paediatric ED was 2.58 (0.75-25.5) h; via local ED to paediatric ED was 2.25 (1-7.75) h; and directly to paediatric ED was 0.45 (0-1.42) h. CONCLUSION: Delays in assessment and treatment of acute scrotal pain occur from the time parents are aware of symptoms to seeking medical opinion. Education to increase awareness may reduce time delays. GPs should refer patients directly to a paediatric ED. Local EDs should manage paediatric cases as per the local surgeons' skill base.

The safety and efficacy of acupuncture for epididymitis protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Epididymitis is a common disease in non-specific infections of the male reproductive system. According to the clinical incidence of acute epididymitis and chronic epididymitis, which is more common in chronic epididymitis. There are many clinical trials confirmed that acupuncture treatment can relieve pain and improve symptoms of epididymitis to some extent. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for epididymitis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search for PubMed, Cochrane Library, AMED, EMbase, WorldSciNet; Nature, Science online and China Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature CD-ROM Database (CBM), and related randomized controlled trials included in the China Resources Database. The time is limited from the construction of the library to November 2018. We will use the criteria provided by Cochrane 5.1.0 for quality assessment and risk assessment of the included studies, and use the Revman 5.3 and Stata13.0 software for meta-analysis of the effectiveness, recurrence rate, and symptom scores of epididymitis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for epididymitis. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process trial. REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42018111348.

Re-presentations and recurrent events following initial management of the acute paediatric scrotum: a 5-year review.

BACKGROUND: Previous reviews report relatively low rates of post-operative complications for acute scrotal exploration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the re-presentation to hospital in boys with previous acute scrotal pathology, reviewing contralateral symptoms, post-operative complications, testicular torsion following fixation and failure of conservative management of testicular appendage (TA) torsion. METHODS: All boys under 16 years presenting to our unit with an acute scrotum from January 2008 to December 2012 (5-year period) were identified. A retrospective review of clinical records was performed. RESULTS: A total of 683 boys presented over this 5-year period, with an overall re-presentation rate of 10%. Seventeen (25%) re-presentations were metachronous. Post-operative complication rate was 2.2%. Testicular torsion rate following orchiopexy was 0.3% (1/292). Thirty-three percent of those managed conservatively for TA torsion returned with ongoing pain; 80% underwent scrotal exploration on return. Eight boys returned following excision of a torted TA with contralateral torted TA confirmed, accounting for 2.6% (8/308) of boys with a torted TA at first presentation. This gives a number-needed-to-treat of 39 for bilateral scrotal exploration and prophylactic excision of contralateral non-torted TA, to prevent one boy from returning to hospital with a metachronous presentation. CONCLUSION: Further prolonged follow-up is needed to adequately assess recurrence rates of testicular torsion following orchiopexy to validate routine orchiopexy. Post-operative complication rates equal that of the return rate for a contralateral torted TA; this needs to be considered in proceeding to bilateral scrotal exploration on finding a torted TA at initial presentation.

Scrotal abscess consequent on syphilitic epididymo-orchitis.

Syphilis is notorious and a great imitator of all diseases. It is a chronic bacterial infection, caused by the sexually transmitted spirochete, Treponema pallidum. Though it has drastically reduced in prevalence, its recent resurgence (especially with HIV disease) is worrying. Without treatment, the disease can progress over years through a series of clinical stages and lead to irreversible neurological or cardiovascular complications. The disease may occur in any organ, including the testis, and is commonly mistaken for malignancy. We report a case of scrotal abscess consequent on epididymo-orchitis, confirmed by histopathological examination to be syphilitic in origin, in an immunocompromised HIV-positive patient.

Endoscopic injection of bulking agent around the ejaculatory ducts at the verumontanum for recurrent paediatric epididymitis.

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric recurrent epididymitis is frequently observed in several urogenital conditions, and may result in deterioration of long-term fertility. The management of recurrent epididymitis is still a therapeutic challenge for paediatric urologists, and as yet there is no consensus for treatment. OBJECTIVE: To present a minimally invasive endoscopic approach for the treatment of recurrent epididymitis (more than three episodes). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven boys were referred with a history of recurrent epididymitis in a context of urogenital malformations. All children underwent endoscopic transurethral injection. Dextranomer/hyaluronic acid was injected around the ejaculatory ducts at the verumontanum (Summary Fig.). The medical records and outcomes of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 11 boys, two (18%) had a history of bladder exstrophy, three (27%) anorectal malformation, two (18%) peno-scrotal hypospadias, two (18%) posterior urethral valves, one (9%) seminal vesicle cyst, and one (9%) urethral stricture. The median age at injection was 3.75 years (range 8 months-14.7 years). Endoscopic injection effectively prevented recurrence in eight patients (73%) with a mean follow-up of 3 years (range 6 months-8.8 years). The mean injected volume was 0.7 ml/session. No perioperative complications were recorded. Vas clipping was performed in three patients after unsuccessful injections. DISCUSSION: The current discussion for management of recurrent epididymitis is mainly based on vas clipping. Endoscopic injection in the verumontanum could offer several potential advantages over vas clipping; moreover, it is easy to perform for an urologist who usually uses endourological approaches. It is believed that only Kajbafzadeh et al. have reported their experience with endoscopic injection in the verumontanum in seven patients with structural anomalies, and they had a 42% success rate. Similarly, the current study did not observe perioperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: In this series, endoscopic injection of the verumontanum was considered to be a safe and effective treatment in almost 73% of children with recurrent epididymitis. It did not result in perioperative complications and not contraindicate a subsequent surgical procedure such as vas clipping.

Different managements for prepubertal epididymitis based on a preexisting genitourinary anomaly diagnosis.

There is no clear consensus regarding investigating for accompanying genitourinary anomalies (GUAs) in patients with prepubertal acute epididymitis (AE). Moreover, risk factors for the recurrence and the need for a surgical intervention have never been discussed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different clinical courses of prepubertal AE based on knowledge of preexisting GUAs. Between January 2005 and December 2014, AE was diagnosed in 189 pediatric patients <10 years old. Clinical characteristics and treatments were retrospectively analyzed. The median age at first AE was 64.3 months. A GUA was detected prior to the development of AE in 49 patients (known GUA group) including 34 with hypospadias. Among the other 140 patients (unknown GUA status group), six patients were diagnosed with a GUA after the first AE episode. In the known GUA group, 35 patients (71.4%) experienced recurrence and the only risk factor associated with recurrence was the presence of cystic dilated prostatic utricle (p = 0.013). In the unknown GUA status group, the risk factors for an existing GUA were being <1-year-old (p<0.001) and positive urine culture (p = 0.015). Only nine patients (6.4%) in this group experienced recurrence. Vasectomy was recommended for patients with recurrent AE with an accompanying GUA and performed in 19 patients (10.1%). Most GUAs are diagnosed prior to AE development. Clinicians should consider different treatment approaches based on whether the AE patient has been diagnosed with a GUA previously, because the clinical characteristics and the recurrence rate are significantly different.

Testicular infection in brucellosis: Report of 34 cases.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To present clinical and laboratory features, treatment options, and outcome in patients with brucellar testicular infection and to compare them with analogous in brucellar patients without testicular involvement. METHODS: Thirty four brucellar patients with testicular infection treated in two general hospitals in the Republic of Macedonia, during the period 1998-2009, were retrospectively analyzed. Their clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared with analogous in 364 male brucellar patients without testicular infection, who were treated at the same hospitals during the same time period. RESULTS: Brucellar testicular infection was evident in 34 (8.5%) out of 398 male patients with brucellosis. The median age of the patients was 46.5 years. In all patients testicular involvement was presented as an acute form with a median duration of 5 days (range, 2-14 days) prior to diagnosis. Twenty-three of the patients had at least one other simultaneous focal infection. After starting with the treatment testicular infection lasted a median 10 days, range 7-21 days. Brucellar patients with testicular infection when compared with other brucellar patients more frequently manifested fever (97% vs. 61%), concomitant spondylitis (32% vs. 16%), and urinary system involvement (12% vs. 2%). Also, the relapse rate in patients with testicular involvement was significantly higher (24% vs. 9%). CONCLUSION: In endemic regions brucellosis should be taken into consideration in any patient with testicular infection. Brucellar testicular involvement is usually characterized with a severe acute clinical presentation and a high percentage of relapses which entails the need of timely recognition and proper treatment duration of at least 60 days.

Variation in the evaluation of testicular conditions across United States pediatric emergency departments.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the variation in diagnostic testing and management for males diagnosed with three testicular conditions (testicular torsion, appendix testis torsion, epididymitis/orchitis) using a large pediatric health care database. Diagnostic testing is frequently used in evaluation of the acute scrotum; however, there is likely variability in the use of these tests in the emergency department setting. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of males with the diagnoses of testicular torsion, appendix testis torsion, and epididymitis/orchitis. We identified emergency department patients in the Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) database from 2010 to 2015 using diagnostic and procedure codes from the International Classification of Diseases Codes 9 and 10. Frequencies of diagnoses by demographic characteristics and of procedures and diagnostic testing (ultrasound, urinalysis, urine culture and sexually transmitted infection testing) by age group were calculated. We analyzed testing trends over time. RESULTS: We identified 17,000 males with the diagnoses of testicular torsion (21.7%), appendix testis torsion (17.9%), and epididymitis/orchitis (60.3%) from 2010 to 2015. There was substantial variation among hospitals in all categories of testing for each of the diagnoses. Overall, ultrasound utilization ranged from 33.1-100% and urinalysis testing ranged from 17.0-84.9% for all conditions. Only urine culture testing decreased over time for all three diagnoses (40.6% in 2010 to 31.5 in 2015). CONCLUSIONS: There was wide variation in the use of diagnostic testing across pediatric hospitals for males with common testicular conditions. Development of evaluation guidelines for the acute scrotum could decrease variation in testing.

[Epididymitis in Children: Fact or Fiction]. / Epididymitis bei Kindern: fact or fiction.

Epididymitis is one of the most frequent causes of acute scrotum during childhood. Unlike in adults, ascending bacterial infections are rarely the underlying cause of the condition in children. Antibacterial treatment in accordance with a prior antibiogram is possible in the presence of leukocyturia and significant bacteriuria. For the remaining cases, there are no definite criteria allowing for a decision on acute antibacterial treatment. The fact that antibacterial treatment is still initiated in cases of epididymitis in the clinical routine setting is based on the assumption of a possible infection rather than being based on facts. This dilemma will probably not be entirely resolved until adequate diagnostic markers for the different trigger mechanisms of epididymitis have been found.

Novel algorithm for management of acute epididymitis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictive factors for the severity of epididymitis and to develop an algorithm guiding decisions on how to manage patients with this disease. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 160 epididymitis patients at Keio University Hospital. We classified cases into severe and non-severe groups, and compared clinical findings at the first visit. Based on statistical analyses, we developed an algorithm for predicting severe cases. We validated the algorithm by applying it to an external cohort of 96 patients at Tokyo Medical Center. The efficacy of the algorithm was investigated by a decision curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients (11.9%) had severe epididymitis. Patient characteristics including older age, previous history of diabetes mellitus and fever, as well as laboratory data including a higher white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level and blood urea nitrogen level were independently associated with severity. A predictive algorithm was created with the ability to classify epididymitis cases into three risk groups. In the Keio University Hospital cohort, 100%, 23.5%, and 3.4% of cases in the high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups, respectively, became severe. The specificity of the algorithm for predicting severe epididymitis proved to be 100% in the Keio University Hospital cohort and 98.8% in the Tokyo Medical Center cohort. The decision curve analysis also showed the high efficacy of the algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: This algorithm might aid in decision-making for the clinical management of acute epididymitis.