Testicular Torsion: Nigerian Experience

Abstract

The records of 80 patients at this institution diagnosed as having testicular torsion during a 5-year period were examined to establish the characteristics and peculiarities, if any, of the disease in Nigeria. There were 74 suitable cases. Similar symptoms and physical signs were identified in Nigeria as have occurred elsewhere. However, contrary to reports from Europe and America the majority (57 per cent) of the patients with testicular torsion in this study were 20 or more years old. Also, torsion occurred significantly more often (9 per cent) in men 30 or more years old than has been reported in other areas. Only 5 per cent of the patients were less than 10 years old. There is no ready explanation why testicular torsion becomes manifest during adulthood in Nigeria. The testes were explored in 73 cases. Of the testes 25 per cent could not be salvaged because of infarction with acute torsion. However, the immediate testicular salvage rate of 75 per cent does not necessarily ensure long-term normal exocrine and endocrine testicular function.