Acute non-specific epididymitis in boys. A survey based on 48 consecutive cases

A series of 48 boys with acute non-specific epididymitis is presented, indicating that this disease is probably not so rare as has been claimed. Our material consisted of two major groups: infants and boys between 10 and 15 years of age. Surgical exploration was made in 22 cases, predominantly infants. Diagnosis could be made from the clinical picture in most of the older boys. In the younger boys, wide indications for surgical exploration are necessary in order not to overlook a torsion of the testis. One third of the patients had significant growth of bacteriae in the urine. Bacteriuria was more often found in infants than in older children. The possible source of the epididymitis could be found in only a small proportion of the cases. A follow-up investigation 3-20 years after the initial attack showed that the prognosis is favourable in boys.