Acute scrotum in children

Torsion of the spermatic cord is the most common etiology of acute scrotum in children. Children with torsion usually present with acute scrotal pain, nausea and vomiting, and only early surgical treatment, within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms, may ensure the preservation of the testis. For that reason any acute scrotal pain with edema requires urgent specialized evaluation. Other etiologies include less severe diseases as torsion of an appendage, epididimytis, trauma, and other rare conditions such as acute idiopathic scrotal edema. (C)1998, Elsevier, Paris.