Frequency of epididymo-orchitis in hospitalized patients with acute scrotum at Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital, Khorramabad, Iran

Objective: To investigate the frequency of epididymo-orchitis in patients with acute scrotum.Methods: In this five-year cross sectional study from March 2004 to June 2009, 83 patients who were hospitalized for acute scrotal pain at Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital in Khorramabad were investigated. First, urine analysis and urine culture tests were carried out followed by sonography if necessary. In cases of suspicious sexual activities, serologic tests and urethral secretion culture were also carried out. In patients whose response to treatment was unsatisfactory after 48 hours, brucellosis and tuberculosis were investigated.Results: Out of 83 patients with epididymo-orchitis, there were positive urine cultures in 69 patients. In 52 (62.7%) of these patients, 30 were infected with E. Coli, 9 with Klebsiella, 8 with Pseudomonas, and 5 cases with Proteus, respectively. In 17 cases, tuberculosis and ischaemic orchitis were observed.Conclusion: Among common causes of epididymo-orchitis, rare causes such as tumour, tuberculosis, and brucellosis must be taken into consideration. In all these cases sufficient time for the follow-up should be taken into account