[Spermatic cord hematoma simulating torsion of testis in Henoch-Schönlein syndrome]

Henoch-Schönlein syndrome (HSS) is a systemic disease of young children characterized by colicky pain, with melena, vomiting and damage to the joints, kidneys and other organs. Surgical problems involving the gastrointestinal tract include bleeding, intussusception and perforation. Uncommon complications, caused by bleeding into brain tissue and into the scalp, muscles, chest and scrotum, are real challenges for the physician. Spermatic cord hematoma is a rare complication of HSS. Other complications of HSS mentioned in the literature which affect the male genital system include edema of the spermatic cord or testis, epididymitis, orchitis, bleeding, Morgagni cyst, or hematoma surrounding the testis. Considering the low incidence of testicular torsion in HSS, we believe that when a patient with HSS develops acute testicular pain, noninvasive diagnostic procedures such as Doppler, ultrasound and radioisotope scans should be performed in the hope of avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions. A 2-year-old boy with HSS in whom torsion of the testis developed is reported.