Testicular torsion usually occurs in boys between the ages of about 12 and 18 and sometimes occurs during infancy, but it can occur at any age. Abnormal development of the spermatic cord or the membrane covering the testis makes testicular torsion possible. With torsion, the testis usually dies within 6 to 12 hours after the blood supply is cut off unless the torsion is treated.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Testicular torsion is an emergency because the testis will die unless it is untwisted rapidly. Doctors may try to untwist the testis without surgery by rotating it within the scrotum. Occasionally, this procedure is successful and surgery is done later. However, usually the procedure is unsuccessful, and surgery to untwist the spermatic cord is required immediately. During surgery, whether done immediately or later, urologists usually secure both testes to prevent future episodes of torsion.
