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$Unique_ID{BRK03717}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Epididymitis}
$Subject{Epididymitis Epididymitis Nonspecific Acute Epididymitis Specific
Epididymitis Syphilitic Epididymitis Tuberculous Testicular Torsion Orchitis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
759:
Epididymitis
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Epididymitis) is not
the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Epididymitis, Nonspecific, Acute
Epididymitis, Specific
Epididymitis, Syphilitic
Epididymitis, Tuberculous
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Testicular Torsion
Orchitis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Epididymitis is an infection of the long tightly coiled tube called the
epididymis, which is located behind each testicle and carries sperm from the
testicle to the ejaculatory duct.
Symptoms
Epididymitis usually has a sudden onset, with symptoms of fever, chills and
pain in the scrotum. The epididymis tube behind the testicle may be swollen
and tender along with the adjacent testis. There may also be an abnormal
accumulation of fluid (edema) in the scrotal skin, along with inflammation of
the spermatic cord. Infected men may need to urinate frequently, and
urination may be painful. If the Epididymitis is caused by gonorrhea,
sterility may result.
Causes
Epididymitis may be caused by a bladder infection (cystitis), or it may occur
as a complication of gonorrhea, prostate disorders, a catheter or
tuberculosis. In men under 35, most cases are caused by the sexually
transmitted bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachoatis. Most men
with this infection also have an inflammation of the canal that transports
urine and sperm (urethra). In men over 35, most cases are caused by coliform
gram-negative bacilli. These men usually have pus in the urine (pyuria) and
show histories of recent urologic procedures. Epididymitis is occasionally
caused by extreme straining which results in urine backing up the
reproductive tract to the epididymis tube.
Nonbacterial Epididymitis is of unknown cause. Although urinalysis is
often normal, symptoms of nonbacterial Epididymitis are similar to those of
the bacterial type.
Affected Population
Epididymitis may affect any adult male. Certain forms of the infection may
be sexually transmitted, and sexual partners of infected individuals should
seek medical evaluation.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Epididymitis.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Testicular Torsion is the twisting of the testicle on the spermatic cord.
This may occur at any age, but it is most common in adolescents. It may
happen for no apparent reason. Testicular torsion occasionally occurs while
sleeping or following strenuous exercise. If untreated, it may cause
strangulation of the blood supply to the testicle and result in permanent
damage. Major symptoms, which are similar to those of Epididymitis, may
include pain (often severe enough to cause nausea and vomiting), and
swelling, redness and tenderness of the scrotum. Treatment involves
manipulation of the testicle by a physician to return it to its normal
position. Surgery is usually performed immediately to anchor the testicle
permanently in place.
Orchitis is an infection of the testicle which most commonly occurs as
the result of Epididymitis that has not been properly treated. Orchitis may
be caused by a bacterial infection in which case it is treated with
antibiotics. In some cases, orchitis is associated with a viral infection
such as mumps, and may result in irreversible damage to the testes and
infertility.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Epididymitis consists of bed rest, scrotal elevation, scrotal
ice packs, analgesics for pain and antibiotics such as ampicillin,
amoxicillin or trimethoprim. Unless an abscess forms, surgical drainage is
not required. Recurrent bacterial Epididymitis, secondary to a chronic
inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) or prostate (prostatitis), may be
prevented by surgical vasectomy. In those forms of Epididymitis that are
sexually transmitted, the sexual partner of the infected individual may also
require treatment with antibiotics.
Nonbacterial forms of epididymitis usually disappear spontaneously unless
complicated by an abscess. Symptoms of nonbacterial epididymitis may be
relieved by nerve block of the spermatic cord with a local anesthetic.
It is very important that any pain or swelling in the scrotum receives
prompt medical attention.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through July
1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Epididymitis, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5133
American Social Health Association
100 Capitola Dr., Suite 200
Research Triangle Park, NC 27713
(919) 361-8400
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Hotline
(800) 227-8922
Council for Sex Information and Education
444 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 107
Venice, CA 90291
References
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and
Co., 1987. Pp.
THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 1, 14th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief;
Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories, 1982. Pp. 1619-1620.
GONOCOCCAL EPIDIDYMITIS. Abdul et al.; CUTIS (August, 1988: issue 42
(2)). Pp. 135-136.
SCROTAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY: A PREDICTOR OF COMPLICATED EPIDIDYMITIS
REQUIRING ORCHIECTOMY. W.A. See et al.; J UROL (January, 1988; issue 139
(1)). Pp. 55-56.
EPIDIDYMITIS AFTER TRANSURETHRAL PROSTATECTOMY. K. Fujita et al.; CLIN
THER (1988; 10 Spec. No.). Pp. 56-59.