Parent & Patient Information System 06/09/2015 Page11 / 51 Chapter 3 - Testicular torsion - a serious cause of scrotal pain For most boys, talking seriously about their private parts can be a little embarrassing. And for teen boys, the topic is strictly off-limits — especially in front of their moms. But if you have a son, it's important that he knows to tell you or a health care provider if he ever has genital pain, especially his scrotum or testes. Genital pain is usually nothing more than a mild and fleeting discomfort. But when it's more painful, it can be caused by a very serious condition called testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that usually requires immediate surgery to save the testicle. About Testicular Torsion Testicular torsion, or testis torsion, occurs when the spermatic cord that provides blood flow to the testicle rotates and becomes twisted, usually due to an injury or medical condition. This cuts off the testicle's blood supply and causes sudden and severe pain and swelling. Testicular torsion requires immediate surgery to fix. If it goes on too long, the testis can be permanently damaged and a boy can risk losing the affected testicle. This problem can happen to males of any age, including newborns and infants, but is most common in 10- to 25-year-olds and teens who have recently gone through puberty. Causes The scrotum is the sack of skin beneath the penis. Inside the scrotum are two testes, or testicles. Each testicle is connected to the rest of the body by a blood vessel called the spermatic cord. Testicular torsion occurs when a spermatic cord becomes twisted, cutting off the flow of blood to the attached testicle. Most cases of testicular torsion occur in males who have a genetic condition called the bell clapper deformity. Normally, the testicles are attached to the scrotum, but in this condition the testicles aren't attached, and therefore are more likely to turn and twist within the scrotum.
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