Acute Scrotum Pain Management in Children

Acute scrotum pain raises immediate concern about testicular torsion in children.

When in doubt, primary care physicians (PCPs) should arrange for an ultrasound. Acute scrotum management requires prompt action, as testicles can die within four to six hours. However, there are other reasons for testicular pain that can look similar.

Listen to our pediatric urologist discuss acute scrotum in children

New recommendations indicate when to intervene for other acute scrotum conditions. PCPs need to be aware of the tools for diagnosis and how to support patients through recovery, as well as how to approach trauma and acute scrotum.

When patients need a referral to a pediatric urologist, PCPs can prep the family by explaining what treatment to expect. They can also reassure the family that they can still expect a positive long-term outcome if the child loses one testicle.

In today's episode, Duncan Wilcox, MD, joins us to talk about acute scrotum management. Dr. Wilcox is the Chair of Pediatric Urology and surgeon-in-chief at Children's Hospital Colorado. He is also a professor of surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In today's episode, we discuss:

• The most common indications of acute scrotum
• The role trauma plays in acute scrotum
• How to diagnose testicular torsion and the need for urgent treatment
• Differentiating between an incarcerated hernia and a hydrocele scrotal trauma
• Why an incarcerated hernia needs rapid treatment
• The three categories of acute scrotum patients
• The long-term outcome for patients living with one testicle

Acute scrotum pain management at Children's Colorado

At Children's Colorado, we see acute scrotum patients at our Department of Pediatric Urology. Our care team provides prompt diagnosis and expertise in treating acute scrotum, including surgery when necessary. Refer a patient to Children's Colorado.