Change of the Testicular Volume after Mumps Orchitis

Abstract

Purpose: Mumps orchitis rarely occurs in prepubescent boys, but it is common in adolescents and adults. Approximately 30-40% of the affected testes are said to atrophy within several months as a complication, but any study on this is lacking. We studied the clinical outcomes and the ultrasonographic findings of mumps orchitis. Materials and Methods: We studied 15 patients who had been hospitalized and followed up for more than 3 months from July 2003 to June 2005. The average age of the patients was 16 years old. The patients' medical history, therapeutic measures and clinical outcomes were recorded, and scrotal color doppler ultrasonography was performed at the follow up sessions after the treatment. The criteria for testicular atrophy have been set according to the contralateral testicular volume reduction of 20% or 2ml. Results: During an average of 10 months of follow up period, 9 of 15 patients experienced atrophy and the contraction rate of the affected testes was about 39.8%. Two of 5 patients who under systemic interferon-α2b treatments experienced atrophy and their contraction rate was about 46.5%. On the ultrasonography, inhomogeneous and decreased echogenicity was noted in the atrophic testes and the blood flow comparably decreased. Conclusions: From the study, it has been confirmed that the interfereonα2b treatment was not adequate to completely prevent the atrophy. Scrotal ultrasonography is a useful examination that is able to measure the correct testicular volume and judge testicular atrophy. As mumps orchitis seem to induce testicular atrophy, periodic check up may be required after the acute stage. (Korean J Urol 2007;48:542-547)