[Diagnosis and therapy of epididymitis]

140 patients with acute epididymitis were observed between 1979 and 1983 in the Department of Urology of Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Hamburg. The diagnostic measures and therapy were done by standardized criteria. When the first therapeutic regimen was finished 75 of 140 patients (54%) were reinvestigated and treated when necessary. In acute epididymitis infiltration of the spermatic cord with local anaesthesia, suspension and cooling of the testis and broad-spectrum antibiotics for several days are recommended. Effective treatment depends on precisely selected diagnostic parameters which should concentrate on bacteriological and immunochemical investigation of urine and semen and include clinical and radiological examination of the lower urinary tract.