Ultrasonography in Predicting the Cause of Scrotal Pain: A Study in Nepal

Abstract

Ultrasound is an easily available, less time consuming, reproducible and safest imaging modality in evaluation of scrotum. It is important to come to an accurate diagnosis in any case of scrotal pain. Although epididymitis with or without orchitis is commonly encountered, it is necessary to rule out emergency conditions like torsion of spermatic cord not only to salvage testes with timely surgery but also to avoid negative surgeries on otherwise inflammatory conditions. This study was done in Manipal Teaching Hospital situated in western region of Nepal on 100 cases presenting with scrotal pain. It was done over a period of 2 years from September 2013 to August 2015. Various causes of scrotal pain were accurately diagnosed in all the included cases. Prevalence of various common causes of scrotal pain were depicted by this study. Epididymitis was noted in 35% cases with scrotal pain, followed by varicocele in 15 % cases and epididymo-orchitis in 12 % cases. Most patients were in 20 to 30 years age group comprising 41 % followed by 31to 40 years age group comprising 39%. Hence, scrotal USG is a valuable tool in diagnosing cause of scrotal pain more so in clinically equivocal cases.