Orchitis or Orchiditis is an often very painful condition of the testes involving inflammation, swelling and frequent infection.

[edit] Symptoms

Symptoms of orchitis are similar to those of testicular torsion. These can include:

• ejaculation of blood
• hematuria (blood in the urine)
• severe pain
• visible swelling of a testicle or testicles and often the inguinal lymph nodes on the affected side.

This condition must be diagnosed by a physician.

[edit] Causes

Orchitis can be related to epididymitis infection that has spread to the testicles, often caused by the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea. It can also be seen during active mumps, particularly in adolescent boys.

Ischemic orchitis may result from damage to the blood vessels of the spermatic cord during inguinal herniorrhaphy, and may in the worst event lead to testicular atrophy.

[edit] Treatment

In most cases where orchitis is caused by epididymitis, treatment is an oral antibiotic such as cefalexin or ciprofloxacin until infection clears up.

For viral infections, antibiotics are not recommended.

In both causes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen or ibuprofen are recommended to relieve pain. Sometimes stronger pain medications in the opiate category, particularly hydrocodone, are called for and are frequently prescribed by experienced emergency room physicians.

[edit] External links

• Overview at Mayo Clinic

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