Introduction

An acute scrotum is defined as severe scrotal pain with or without scrotal swelling and erythema. The inciting lesion may involve the testis, testicular or epididymal appendages, epididymis, scrotal skin, hernia or referred pain from outside the scrotum (e.g ureteric colic). The most likely cause is age dependent.

Optimal management of the acute scrotum is important to the pediatric surgeon as urgent clinical evaluation to exclude testicular torsion or incarcerated hernia has important implications. Undue delay may lead to testicular or intestinal gangrene.

see also Testicular Torsion and Inguinal Hernia.