Contents
- What is epididymitis and testicular inflammation?
- What are the causes of epididymitis and testicular inflammation?
- Symptoms of inflammation of the epididymis and testicles
- Diagnosis of epididymitis and testicles
- Inflammation of the epididymis and testicles – treatment
- Powikłania zapalenia najądrza i jądra
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Inflammation of the epididymis and testes occurs most often in the way ascending from the urethra, prostate or bladder. The condition usually lasts more than six weeks and is mainly caused by older men wearing the catheter. Most often it attacks unilaterally.
What is epididymitis and testicular inflammation?
Inflammation of the epididymis and testis is an inflammatory ailment, usually occurring in the way ascending from the bladder, urethra and prostate. Inflammation appears first in the epididymis and then spreads to the testicle.
Inflammation of the epididymis and testicles usually occurs unilaterally.
Stan zapalny powstaje najczęściej w wyniku noszenia cewnika przez starszych mężczyzn i zakażeń bakteryjnych.
What are the causes of epididymitis and testicular inflammation?
Most cases of epididymitis and testicular inflammation occur in young and sexually active men. It is associated with a higher risk of bacterial infection in the sexual way. Therefore, the main cause of epididymitis and testicular inflammation is bacterial infections, especially bacteria:
- Chlamydia Trachomatis;
- Neisseria Gonorrhoeae;
- Ureaplasma Urealyticum;
- Mycoplasma genitalium.
Another cause (especially in patients over 40) the disease may appear due to microorganisms which in turn cause urinary tract infections, such as Pseudomonas, E. coli, Klebsiella. Testicular and epididymitis can also be viral or fungal in origin. This is especially true of people who are significantly immunocompromised, immunosuppressed or have diabetes (then the inflammation is caused by Brucellosis, Candida, CMV).
This ailment can also be a complication of a history of mumps, which accounts for up to 30% of all cases. In addition, taking antiarrhythmic drugs is one of the factors that causes inflammation.
In what diseases can epididymitis and testicular inflammation manifest?
– vasculitis,
— plamicy Henocha-Schonleina,
– Bechcet’s disease,
– polyarteritis nodosa.
When looking for the causes of epididymitis and testicular inflammation, you should also mention:
- long-term catheterization,
- bladder catheterization,
- narrowing of the urethra,
- prostate cancer,
- benign prostatic hyperplasia,
- procedures performed in the area of the urinary tract,
- poorly treated testicular hydrocele.
Symptoms of inflammation of the epididymis and testicles
The testicle can become inflamed by the lymphatic pathway and by the bloodstream. The disease begins with pain in the testicle, its enlargement, hardening, swelling and redness of the scrotum. These ailments are accompanied by a high fever of up to 40 ° C. Pain located in the scrotum can radiate along the spermatic cord to the groin and perineum.
Among other symptoms accompanying inflammation of the epididymis and testicles, we mention:
- pollakiuria,
- skin erythema,
- urgent urge to urinate
- painful urination
- reactive testicular hydrocele,
- discharge from the urethra
- prostatitis (as a comorbid condition),
- leukocytosis (about 65% of cases),
- bacteriuria (about 25% of cases).
Diagnosis of epididymitis and testicles
To exclude other diseases with a similar disease picture, the doctor performs ultrasound with the Doppler flow assessment. Thanks to this, it is possible to eliminate such ailments as testicular torsion, testicular tumor, and in children – testicular appendages torsion.
Check how ultrasonography works – one of the most important diagnostic tests
Inflammation of the epididymis and testicles – treatment
Treatment of epididymitis and testicular inflammation consists of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, compresses, and elevation of the scrotum to reduce venous blood stagnation – which relieves pain. In older men, if the inflammation of the testicle is very turbulent, consider removing the testicle under an antibiotic cover. The doctor selects the antibiotics used during treatment individually for the patient.
Most often, at the initial stage of the treatment, fluoroquinolines are administered, which easily penetrate the tissues of the genitourinary system. Alternative macrolide intake is also recommended.
If the epididymitis and testicular inflammation occurred as a result of a sexual disease, e.g. chlamydia, the partner should also be treated. If treatment is started as early as possible, the symptoms of the disease may disappear after about two weeks. Until treatment is completed, the patient should have intercourse with a condom.
Powikłania zapalenia najądrza i jądra
Ignored testis and epididymitis can cause not only testicular atrophy, but even infertility. This can happen as a result of obstruction of the ducts that lead the sperm out of the testicle and epididymis. There are extreme situations in which the infarction of the testicular tissue and its ischemia may appear, which in turn causes necrosis (then the only solution is to remove the testicle).