Necrotizing Epididymo-Orchitis: A Rare Manifestation of COVID-19

Ali Tavoosian1, Sana Ahmadi1, Seyed Mohammad Kazem Aghamir1

  • 1Urology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Insights

COVID-19 can cause epididymo-orchitis, a testicular infection, presenting with unusual symptoms. This case highlights the need to consider COVID-19 in non-responsive epididymo-orchitis cases.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Epididymo-orchitis is a common urogenital infection caused by various pathogens, including viruses.
  • Unusual clinical presentations of COVID-19 infection can mimic other conditions, necessitating broad diagnostic considerations.

Observation:

  • A 55-year-old male presented with typical epididymo-orchitis symptoms, confirmed by ultrasound.
  • Despite standard treatment, the patient developed fever, scrotal lesions, and signs of tunica albuginea rupture, leading to orchiectomy.

Findings:

  • Post-orchiectomy tissue analysis revealed COVID-19 infection via PCR.
  • The patient had no preceding respiratory symptoms suggestive of coronavirus.

Implications:

  • This case suggests COVID-19 as a potential, albeit rare, cause of epididymo-orchitis with severe manifestations.
  • Clinicians should consider SARS-CoV-2 in the differential diagnosis of refractory or atypical epididymo-orchitis, especially during pandemic periods.

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