Letters to the EditorIn Utero Torsion of the Testis A.H. Al-Salem and FRCSI N. F. MitryFRCSE A.H. Al-Salem Department of Surgery, King Fahad Hospital of the University P.O. Box 6078, Dammam 31442, Saudi Arabia Search for more papers by this author and N. F. Mitry Department of Urology, King Fahad Hospital of the University P.O. Box 6078, Dammam 31442, Saudi Arabia Search for more papers by this author Published Online::1 Mar 1989https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.1989.219SectionsPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail AboutIntroductionTo the Editor: Testicular torsion in the newborn is a rare condition. It is usually a prenatal event, and in contradistinction to torsion in older children, it usually manifests itself silently as a painless scrotal swelling. Torsion of the test is in the newborn carries a poor prognosis, infarction being almost inevitable.1,2 This condition must be recognized early and treated if testicular damage is to be prevented. Early recognition calls for a meticulous examination of the scrotum and its contents in every newborn by the attending pediatrician or obstetrician. We describe a case of testicular torsion in a newborn which was recognized 36 hours after delivery.Weighing 3.32 kg, the patient was the product of a full-term normal vaginal delivery with Apgar scores of 9 and 10 at 1 and 5 minutes. Examination of the scrotum revealed a firm, nontender mass in the right hemiscrotum measuring 2×3 cm. The mass was adherent to the overlying skin which was dark brown in color. Ultrasound revealed a fluid-filled, demarcated and circumscribed mass anterior to the normal testis. To rule out a hematocele or a hydrocele, the patient underwent an emergency operation 36 hours after delivery via a right scrotal incision. Dark blood clots in between the tunica albuginea and tunica vaginalis were found. The testis was completely black as a result of an extravaginal torsion. Warm packs were applied with no improvement in the color; no active bleeding occurred on incising the tunica. Orchidectomy was done, and the left testis was explored and fixed at the same time. The histopathology of the removed testis confirmed testicular infarction. The patient had an uneventful postoperative period.Torsion of the testis in the newborn usually presents as an enlarged, firm, nontender, nontransilluminating mass in the scrotum without signs of systemic reaction or toxicity. It is usually fixed to the overlying skin which is discolored. This condition is known to occur in full-term babies who are of above-average birth weight,1–3 and it is usually unilateral, but simultaneous bilateral cases have been reported.4,5Neonatal torsion usually occurs extravaginally, and the treatment recommended is surgical intervention. Some advocate an inguinal approach,4 since the torsion is most likely to be extravaginal; this approach facilitates dealing with an associated inguinal hernia if present. Every attempt should be made to preserve the testis. The gross appearance of a black and apparently necrotic testis should not be considered a criterion for orchidectomy, unless the patient demonstrates signs of systemic toxicity.2,4Controversy still exists regarding the necessity to fix the contralateral testis to prevent subsequent torsion. Since the torsion in the newborn is of the extravaginal type, subsequent affection of the other side is unlikely. We share the view of contralateral fixation,1,2 as it is a simple procedure and protects the solitary testis from further torsion.6ARTICLE REFERENCES:1. Burge DM. "Neonatal testicular torsion and infarction: aetiology and management" . Br J Urol. 1987; 59:70–3. Google Scholar2. Guiney EJ, McGlinchey J. "Torsion of the testis and the spermatic cord in the newborn" . Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1981; 152:273–4. Google Scholar3. Thomas WEG, Williamson RCN. "Diagnosis and outcome of testicular torsion" . Br J Surg. 1983; 70:213–6. Google Scholar4. Frederick PL, Dushku N, Eraklis AJ. "Simultaneous bilateral torsion of the testis in a newborn infant" . Arch Surg. 1987; 94:299–300. Google Scholar5. Gerstmann DR, Marble RD,. "enlarged testicles in a newborn: an atypical presentation of intrauterine spermatic cord torsion" . Am J Dis Child. 1980; 134:992–4. Google Scholar6. Harris BH, Webb HW, et al.. "Protection of the solitary testis" . J Pediatr Surg. 1982; 17:950–1. Google Scholar Previous article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 9, Issue 2March 1989 Metrics History Published online1 March 1989 InformationCopyright © 1989, Annals of Saudi MedicinePDF download
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