Scrotal Pain: Torsion or Epididymitis

Ignoring pain in the scrotum is the fastest way to lose a testicle. A young boy presented

with severe pain and a thickened, tender cord, which sets off alarm bells for every

doctor. While the scariest option is testicular torsion where the blood supply gets

cut off, this specific swelling pointed towards a severe infection like epididymitis.

The tricky part is figuring out the cause, whether it’s a standard bacteria from a

UTI or something else spreading from the urethra. We have to decide between a mid-stream

urine culture or a first-pass sample to catch the culprit. When the cord feels thick and tender,

getting the right specimen is the only way to save the day.