L7 - Scrotum and foreskin conditions Flashcards
Hydrocele
Accumulation of fluid within tunica vaginalis.
Transilluminable!
Primary hydrocele
Most common
Idiopathic
Can be caused by increase serous fluid production.
Secondary hydrocele
As result of tumour or infection
Management of hydrocele
Aspiration if unfit for surgery.
Aspiration of hydrocele
Needle inserted into scrotum, directly into hydrocele.
Suction applied to remove the straw coloured fluid as much as possible.
Surgical management of hydrocele
Tunica vaginalis opened.
Fluid released.
Sac sewn onto itself, hence fluid cannot reaccumulate.
Complications of hydrocele
Haematoma formation, can occasionally become more painful than original hydrocele.
What is a varicocele?
Dilation of veins of pampiniform plexus within the spermatic cord.
Males may become subfertile. Trying to conceive takes longer than what is expected.
Why are most varicocele’s found on the left?
- Increased pressure in left testicular vein.
- As it drains perpendicular into left renal vein.
- Hence turbulent flow
Compare pressure in the left and right testicular vein.
Right testicular vein drains at a lesser angle directly into IVC.
Hence lower venous pressure than left testicular vein.
What does a varicocele feel like?
A bag of worms.
Disappears when patient is lying down.
Management of a varicocele
Conservative, reassurance
Surgery if heavy or aching variocele
Describe surgical intervention on a variocele
Affected testicular veins are divided and embolised.
Describe epididymal cyst
Transilluminable lumps.
1 or multiple swellings felt in scrotum behind testis.
Spermatocele
Not transilluminable as it contains sperm.
Describe a hernia
Indirect inguinal hernia
Has cough impulse.
Can’t feel above it.
Cough impulse
Patient coughs.
If swelling expands upon coughing then positive.
Movement without expansion IS NOT a cough impulse.
Tumour in testes
often 20-40 y/o men
Painless lump.
Often not separate from testis.
Describe testicular torsion
most common 20-40 y/o
Testes rotates around its vascular base leading to acute pain.
What is testicular torsion characterised by?
- Sudden onset severe testicular pain
- Abdominal pain
- vomiting
- retraction of testes ‘bell clapper’ position
What may be done to confirm a testicular torsion?
Doppler
Requires urgent surgical exploration !
Surgical management of testicular torsion?
Both testes sutured to tunica vaginalis to prevent further torsion.
Known as orchidopexy.
Epididimitis
Infection of epididymis. Scrotal discomfort Pain during micturition Due to chlamydia. - 2 week course of doxycycline may be given
Orchitis
Infection of testis.
Commonly has viral cause
- MUMPS
Epididymo-orchitis
If epididimitis spreads to testes
- gradual onset
- dull ache or pain
State some causes of groin lumps
Lymphocele Ectopic testes Saphena Varix Psoas Abscess Femoral aneurysm Lipoma Lymph node Inguinal and femoral hernia