Scrotal Disorders

Scrotal disorders

Dr.Saad Dakhil

Anatomy;

Scrotum;can be considered as an outpouching of the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall.it contains the Testis,Epididymides,lower end of spermatic cord

Spermatic cord

Structure of spermatic cord ; 1-vas deferens 2-testicular artery 3- testicular veins (pampiniform plexus) 4-testicular lymph vessels 5-autonomic nerves 6-processus vaginalis 7-cremasteric artery 8-artery of the vas deferens 9-genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve

Scrotal Swellings

Cystic
Solid
Neither
Tumor (benign/ Malignant)
varicocele
Hernia
Hydrocele
Epididymal cyst/ spermatocele
Hematocele

Hydrocele;

Collection of abnormal quantity of serous fluid in the tunica vaginalis. If it contains pus or blood it is called pyocele or haematocele respectively. Hydrocele is more common than the two other varieties.

Hernia / Hydrocele

Hydrocele: incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis Hernia: large opening of the processus vaginalis which may allow abdominal contents to enter scrotal sac.

Scrotal Ultrasound

Large left hydrocele

Cont;

Causes; 1-primary;cause unknown associate with patency of proccessus vaginalis. It classified as follows; 1-communicating;it connect with the peritoneal cavity. 2-noncommunicating;it dose not connect with peritoneal cavity.

Cont;

2- Secondary; where the fluid accumulate secondary to pathology inside the testis like epididymo-orchitis,testicular tumor and trauma.

Clinical presentation;

Symptoms; 1-painless swelling 2-embarrassment 3-frequent and painful micturation may occur if hydrocele is secondary to epididymo-orchitis Hydrocele not affect fertility


Cont;
Examination; Position; the swelling usually unilateral but can be bilateral .if communicating can not feel the cord above the lump. Colour and temperature; normal Tenderness; primary are not tender but secondary may be tender Composition; fluctuant and have fluid thrill if large enough Reducibility; can not reduced Testis impalpable and transillumenate

Mangement;

Primary; in children: most neonatal hydrocel resolve in first 2 year of life if persists repair as herniotomy.(communicating). The scrotal approach (Lord or Jaboulay technique) is used in the treatment of a secondary non-communicating hydrocele.

Cont;

In adult; surgical excision. Secondary : treatment the underlying condition.

ACUTE SCROTUM IN CHILDREN

A child or adolescent with acute scrotal pain, tenderness, or swelling should be looked on as an emergency situation requiring prompt evaluation, differential diagnosis, and potentially immediate surgical exploration.

Painful scrotal swellings

Causes
Testicular Torsion
Epididmyo-orchitis

By History

Epidimyo-orchitis
Testicular torsion
Adolescent
Children
Gradual
Sudden
present
absent

Epidimyo-orchitis

Testicular torsion
moderate
Sever
present
absent

Testicular Torsion

The most urgent problem. High risk of loss due to infarction (90%) May have torsion of cord or appendages Neonatal and adolescence more common in undescended testes due to absence of fixation Extravaginal: exclusive to perinatal Intravaginal: 90% of adolescent age group

Extravaginal Torsion

Intravaginal Torsion

Testicular Torsion

HistorySudden onset of painPast history of similar pain in 50%PhysicalCremasteric reflex may be absentPrehn’s sign: elevation of testes does not relieve painlateral testicular lie.

Testicular Torsion

Diagnosis if certain : emergent surgery if uncertain: Nuclear scan: not done often depending on facility Ultrasonography: documents blood flow PROVIDES ANATOMY

Testicular Torsion

Refer Emergently!< 6 hours, 90% salvage> 24 hours, 100% loss and atrophyAttempt manual detorsion- outward“ open the book “Some may be twisted 360, 720 degrees

Testicular Appendages

Appendix testis
Appendix epididymis

Testicular Appendages

Torsion of appendages rarely seen after pubertyPresents with painPhysicalmay develop scrotal swelling & erythema“blue dot sign” seen earlyUltrasound required to rule out testis torsionTreat symptomaticallyBe sure of early exam before swelling makes any further exam suspect!

Torsion of Appendix Testis

Blue dot of gangrenous appendix testis

Epididymitis

Most common acute scrotum post-pubertal Gradual onset of pain Fever in 40% of patients Dysuria in 50% of patients Urinalysis may show pyuria in 50%

Doppler Epididymitis

Left Epididymitis Increased blood flow

Epididymitis

Confirm that torsion of testis does not exist Treatment scrotal elevation Antibiotics considered: keflex, septra Refer for persistence of pain/swelling.


Fournier’s Gangrene Necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum May ascend of fascial planes Colles > Dartos > Scarpas 20% to 50% Mortality Rate Polymicrobial infection Treat with Gent, Pen G and Flagyl Debridement surgically 20% to 30% related to GU source

CRYPTORCHIDISM

Background Almost 1% of all full-term male infants are affected at the age of one year. Categorisation into palpable and non-palpable testis seems to be most the appropriate method.

Iliac fossa 3rd-5th month Deep inguinal ring 7th month Superficial ring 8th month Scrotum 9th month
Empty Scrotum

Empty Scrotum

Complications (THIN)
Higher incidence of:

Assessment

A physical examination is the only method of differentiating between palpable or non-palpable testes. Radiological imaging: 44% There is no reliable examination to confirm or rule out an intra-abdominal, inguinal and absent/vanishing testis (nonpalpable testis), except for diagnostic laparoscopy.

Assessment

In cases of bilateral non-palpable testes and any suggestion of sexual differentiation problems, urgent endocrinological and genetic evaluation is mandatory.

Treatment

To prevent histological deterioration, treatment should be undertaken and completed before the age of 12-18 months. Medical therapy Medical therapy using human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is based on the hormonal dependence of testicular descent, with success rates of a maximum of 20%.

Surgery

Palpable testis: Surgery for the palpable testis includes orchidofuniculolysis and orchidopexy, with success rates of up to 92%. Non-palpable testis: Inguinal surgical exploration with the possibility of performing laparoscopy should be attempted. Laparoscopy is the most appropriate way of examining the abdomen for a testis. Microvascular autotransplantation is also an option.

Laparoscopy

Ectopic Testes
perineal prepenile. femoral. inguinal pouch.
Empty Scrotum
Vs undescended?

Retractile Testes

functions normally. normal size & consistency scrotum well developed. ? Hyperactive cremasteric reflex. most are normal by 12 yrs.
Empty Scrotum

Empty Scrotum

- Trauma. - Torsion. - Infection. - Previous inguinal surgery.

VARICOCELE

Background Ectatic and tortuous veins of the pampiniform plexus of the spermatic cord are found in approximately 15% of male adolescents, with a marked left-sided predominance . This is unusual in boys under 10 years of age, but becomes more frequent at the beginning of puberty. Fertility problems will arise in about 20% of adolescents with varicocele. The adverse influence of varicocele increases with time.


Assessment

Treatment

Surgery Surgical intervention is based on ligation or occlusion of the internal spermatic veins. Microsurgical lymphatic-sparing repair (microscopic or laparoscopic) are associated with the lowest recurrence and complication rate. Follow-up During adolescence, testicular size should be checked annually. After adolescence, repeated sperm analysis is to be recommended.

The potential complications of varicocelectomy

hydrocele formation, varicocele recurrence and testicular infarction (atrophy). Hydrocele formation is related to failure to preserve the lymphatic vessels associated with the spermatic cord.

Testicular tumors

Commonest malignancy in men < 35 years. Rare in african men and before puberty. Peaks in the early twenties. One in 10 testicular tumors occurs in association with maldescent of the testis. Prognosis is good particularly if there was no lymph node involvement.

Classification

According to the cells of origin, they’re classified into:Primary cell tumors (90-95%), which include: Germ cell tumors: Seminoma, teratoma,Embryonal CA, Yolk Sac Tumor.Non-germ cells tumors: like sertoli cells tumors, Lyedig cell tumor.2. Secondary tumors: lymphoma, leukemic infiltration of the testes.

Germ cell tumors

1. Seminomas - 40% (a) Classic Typical Seminoma (b) Anaplastic Seminoma (c) Spermatocytic Seminoma 2. Embryonal Carcinoma - 20 - 25% 3. Teratoma - 25 - 35% (a) Mature (b) Immature 4. Choriocarcinoma - 1% 5. Yolk Sac Tumour



Clinical features
Painless Swelling of One testis Dull Ache or Heaviness in Lower Abdomen 10% - Acute Scrotal Pain 10% - Present with Metatstasis - Neck Mass / Cough / Anorexia / Vomiting / Back Ache/ Lower limb swelling 5% - Gynecomastia Rarely - Infertility

Physical Examination

Examine contralateral normal testis. Firm to hard fixed area within tunica albugenia is suspicious. Seminoma expand within the testis as a painless, rubbery enlargement. Embryonal carcinoma or teratocarcinoma may produce an irregular, rather than discrete mass.

Differential Diagnosis

Testicular torsion Epididymitis, or epididymo-orchitis Hydrocele, Hernia, Hematoma, Spermatocele, Syphilitic gumma .

DICTUM FOR ANY SOLID SCROTAL SWELLINGS

All patients with a solid, Firm Intratesticular Mass that cannot be Transilluminated should be regarded as Malignant unless otherwise proved.

Tumor markers

TWO MAIN CLASSES Onco-fetal Substances : AFP & HCG Cellular Enzymes : LDH & PLAP AFP - Trophoblastic Cells HCG - Syncytiotrophoblastic Cells ( PLAP- placental alkaline phosphatase, & LDH lactic acid dehydrogenase)

ROLE OF TUMOUR MARKERS

Degree of Marker Elevation Appears to be Directly Proportional to Tumor Burden Markers indicate Histology of Tumor: If AFP elevated in Seminoma - Means Tumor has Non-Seminomatous elements Negative Tumor Markers becoming positive on follow up usually indicates - Recurrence of Tumor Markers become Positive earlier than X-Ray studies


Investigation: US testis CXR  metastasisCT scan abdomen and chest to identify lymph nodes and pulmonary metsTumor markers :AFP (yolk-sac cell), βHCG (trophoblastic cells).


Tumor staging
Primary Tumor (T)pTX - Primary tumor cannot be assessed . pT0 - No evidence of primary tumor. pTis - Intratubular germ cell neoplasia. pT1 - Tumor limited to the testis and epididymis. pT2 - Tumor limited to the testis and epididymis with vascular/lymphatic invasion or tumor extending through the tunica albuginea with involvement of tunica vaginalis pT3 - Tumor invades the spermatic pT4 - Tumor invades the scrotum

Regional Lymph Nodes

Clinical NX - Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed N0 - No regional lymph node metastasis N1 - Lymph node mass 2 cm or less in greatest dimension. N2 - Lymph node mass, more than 2 cm but not more than 5 cm in greatest dimension. N3 - Lymph node mass more than 5 cm in greatest dimension

Distant metastasis

M0 - No evidence of distant metastases M1 - Nonregional nodal or pulmonary metastases M2 - Nonpulmonary visceral masses

Serum tumor markers

LDH
HCG Miu/ml
AFP Ng/ml
S0
_< N
S1
<1.5 x N
< 5000
< 1000
S2
1.5-10x N
5000 to 50000
1000 to 10000
S3
>10x N
> 50000
>10000

Treatment:

Explore testis through an inguinal incision. Radical Orchidectomy. Further treatments depends on the type and stage ( see Table) . Chemotherapy regimen : BEP :Bleomycine , Etopside ,Cisplatine
DXT=deep x-ray therapy, RPLND=retroperitoneal lymph node dissection


.
Staging
Treatment of seminoma
Treatment of non-seminomatous germ cell tumor
Stage I confined to the testis
DXT to the abdominal nodes or single agent carboplatine chemo therapy
Observation or RPLND Or primary chemotherapy
Stage II Retroperitolneal LN involvement II a : nodes <2cm II b : nodes 2-5cm II c : nodes >5cm
DXT to abdominal nodes. or Chemotherapy

Chemo & RPLND of residual tumor

Stage III nodal dx above the diaphragm
DXT to abdominal wall & thoracic nodes or chemo therapy
Chemotherapy
Stage IV visceral metastasis
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy