[Blunt testicular injury - conservative or surgical treatment?]

Testicular trauma can be classified into blunt or penetrating injury. While every case of penetrating trauma is subjected to surgical treatment, the decision between surgery and conservative treatment must be made for each case of blunt injury. Inspection, palpation and duplex sonography may be helpful in finding the correct decision. Herein we present a case report and review of the current literature.

A 14-year-old boy was admitted to an urological department after blunt scrotal trauma. Ultrasound examination revealed a peritesticular hematoma. After 9 days of conservative treatment, surgical exploration and orchidectomy for rupture of the tunica albuginea was performed.

The following recommendations can be made for treatment of blunt testicular injury: if rupture of the testis is detected sonographically, immediate surgical exploration is indicated. Every change in testicular structure must be considered a possible sign of testicular rupture. Sonographically detected hematoceles without visible signs of rupture are not given clear recommendations in the literature. However, early surgical intervention (within 72 hours) seems to increase the likelihood of preserving the testis. In every case of unclear clinical or sonographic findings, surgical exploration of the scrotum should be done. If offers a safe and quick diaganosis with a very low complication rate.