Epididymitis and Orchitis (Children)
⚠️ Always exclude testicular torsion as a differential. If in doubt → urgent surgical referral. 🚑
🦠 Causes
- 👉 Epididymitis:
- 🧫 Bacterial (UTI organisms: E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus).
- 🦠 STIs in young men (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea).
- ↩️ Urinary reflux into vas deferens (e.g., posterior urethral valves).
- 💥 Trauma to the scrotum.
- 👉 Orchitis:
- 🦠 Viral (mumps — especially post-pubertal boys).
- 🧫 Bacterial (often secondary to epididymitis or STI-related).
🤒 Clinical Features
- 👉 Epididymitis:
- Gradual onset of scrotal pain & swelling.
- Red, warm, tender epididymis (pain may radiate to groin/abdomen).
- ± Fever, dysuria if UTI-related.
- 👉 Orchitis:
- Sudden painful swollen testis.
- Tenderness, erythema, systemic symptoms (fever, malaise).
- Often follows mumps infection → can cause epididymo-orchitis.
🔬 Investigations
- 👉 Epididymitis:
- Urinalysis & culture (look for leukocytes, nitrites).
- STI screen in adolescents/young men.
- Scrotal US: enlarged epididymis, ↑ blood flow.
- Bloods: CBC (↑ WCC).
- 👉 Orchitis:
- Scrotal US: exclude torsion, assess abscess.
- Urine/STI tests if bacterial suspected.
- Mumps IgM serology if viral cause suspected.
💊 Management
- 👉 Epididymitis:
- Empirical antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone + doxycycline for STI; co-amoxiclav/ciprofloxacin if UTI).
- NSAIDs, scrotal elevation, bed rest.
- Hydration; surgery only if abscess.
- 👉 Orchitis:
- Supportive care (NSAIDs, scrotal support, ice packs).
- If bacterial → antibiotics as above.
- Mumps orchitis → supportive only (no antivirals).
- Follow-up: monitor for testicular atrophy or abscess.
📌 Key exam tip: Epididymitis = gradual onset, often UTI/STI.
Orchitis = sudden onset, often viral (mumps).
Always rule out torsion. 🚨