Practice Essentials

Orchitis is an acute inflammatory reaction of the testis secondary to infection. Most cases are associated with a viral mumps infection; however, other viruses and bacteria can cause orchitis. Testicular examination reveals the following: testicular enlargement, induration of the testis, tenderness, erythematous scrotal skin, edematous scrotal skin, and enlarged epididymis associated with epididymo-orchitis. On rectal examination, there is a soft boggy prostate (prostatitis). often associated with epididymo-orchitis.^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]}

Up to 60% of affected testes demonstrate some degree of testicular atrophy. Impaired fertility is reported at a rate of 7-13%. Sterility is rare in cases of unilateral orchitis. An associated hydrocele or pyocele may require surgical drainage to relieve pressure from the tunica. In one study of 7 patients who were followed after mumps orchitis (4 unilateral, 3 bilateral), in the unilateral orchitis group, 1 patient had an atrophic testis, 3 had severe oligozoospermia, and 1 had mild oligozoospermia. In the bilateral orchitis group, none had atrophic testes, and findings of semen analysis revealed azoospermia in 1 and severe oligozoospermia in 2 patients. Findings of semen analysis in most patients improved gradually.^[8]

Pubertal and postpubertal males who have not received mumps vaccination are more susceptible to the virus and have a high risk of mumps orchitis.

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Author

Nataisia Terry, MD Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Nataisia Terry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine Residents' Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Walter W Valesky, Jr, MD Clinical Assistant Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Richard H Sinert, DO Professor of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Research Director, State University of New York College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Vice-Chair in Charge of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kings County Hospital Center

Richard H Sinert, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Eric M Kardon, MD, FACEP Attending Emergency Physician, Georgia Emergency Medicine Specialists; Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Athens Regional Medical Center

Eric M Kardon, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Medical Association of Georgia

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Mark B Mycyk, MD Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Mark B Mycyk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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