Introduction

Definition Inflammation/infection of the epididymis, which may be accompanied by testicular involvement (epididymo-orchitis).

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Video lesson

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Video pending upload (embedded YouTube)

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Summary

Clinical presentation

Unilateral scrotal pain.
Swelling.
Tenderness on palpation.
Edema.
Possibly fever.

When there is also testicular involvement, we speak of epididymo-orchitis.

Etiology

In young men who are sexually active, consider Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The usual urinary pathogens may also be involved.

The differential diagnosis we CANNOT miss

Testicular torsion. Severe pain + sudden onset + young patient = surgical emergency.

Studies

Urinalysis and urine culture.
NAAT/PCR for gonococcus and chlamydia.
Scrotal Doppler ultrasound.

When a sexually transmitted infection is suspected, testing with NAAT is recommended.

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PDF

⬇ Download module guide (PDF)

Urinary tract infections — Guide for Medicine: uncomplicated and complicated UTI, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, epididymitis/orchitis, urethritis and STIs, urine culture interpretation, and rational antibiotic use (all 8 topics of the module in a single document).

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Practical algorithm

Content pending upload The general algorithm for the whole module (patient with urinary symptoms → localized vs. systemic UTI → management) is developed in the lesson "Rational antibiotic use" (block 5).

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Clinical case

Content pending upload Progressive presentation of the case — the student makes decisions as it unfolds.

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Self-assessment

Questions pending upload 5–10 multiple-choice questions on this lesson.

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References

Content pending upload The specific references for this lesson will be added.

Epididymitis and orchitis