[Two cases of testicular infarction: the usefulness of enhanced MRI for preoperative diagnosis]

The differential diagnosis in acute scrotum, particularly torsion of spermatic cord and epididymitis, is sometimes difficult. An erroneous diagnosis may result in unnecessary and improper treatment. We report two cases of testicular infarction including torsion of spermatic cord, preoperatively diagnosed by enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Case 1: A 16-year-old boy presented with a 3-day history of left scrotal swelling and left lower abdominal pain. He had fever and leukocytosis. Antibiotics for 2 days failed to relieve the symptoms. Enhanced MRI showed absence of blood flow in the left testis. Scrotal exploration revealed hemorrhage and necrosis in the left testis. Left orchiectomy and right orchiopexy were performed. Case 2: A 12-year-old boy visited with scrotal swelling and fever 30 hours after an acute onset of left scrotal pain. Enhanced MRI showed absence of blood flow in the left testis. Exploration revealed left necrotic testis with torsion of spermatic cord. Left orchiectomy and right orchiopexy were performed. Our two cases suggested that enhanced MRI, by which the intratesticular blood flow can be evaluated, may be useful for the diagnosis of testicular infarction.