A scoring system for testicular torsion: Decreasing costs and therapeutic delay

Abstract

NTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency requiring prompt intervention to prevent testicular loss. Differential diagnosis is not easily done with clinical evaluation, and imaging studies are usually required, especially ultrasound, causing therapeutic delay. Our objective was to create a scoring system for clinical diagnosis of testicular torsion, thus eliminating the necessity of ultrasound (US). MATERIAL & METHODS: Patients presenting with acute scrotum at a tertiary care center were prospectively evaluated and physical examination was performed by the first urologist to see the patient. Scrotal ultrasound was performed in all patients after visit. Single variate analysis was performed and clinical variables associated with testicular torsion were identified. A scoring system was created based upon logistic regression with relevant variables from univariate analysis. Retrospective validation of the scoring system was performed including all patients seen with suspicion for testicular torsion at this institution up to 2 years prior to the beginning of the prospective evaluation. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty one patients were enrolled in the first phase of the study. Mean age of patients was 12.1 years and mean duration of symptoms was 40.2 hours. Thirty-three patients had a final diagnosis of torsion. Clinical variables associated with torsion were scrotal swelling, nausea and vomiting from history and testicular swelling, high-riding test icle, horizontal lie of the testicle, increased consistency of the testicle to palpation, presence of a thickened spermatic cord, negative Prehn's sign, absent cremasteric reflex and fixed scrotal skin to testis on physical examination (p<0.05). A scoring system was created with 5 variables, and patients were stratified in low, intermediate and high risk for torsion. Twenty-two patients were at high risk for testicular torsion, all of which had a final diagnosis of torsion, and 170 patients were at low risk for torsion, none of which had a diagnosis for this condition. Low and high risk groups comprised 82% of all patients seen. Retrospective validation was performed for 116 patients and 83% of cases fell within low or high risk categories; all patients in the high risk category had a final diagnosis of torsion and none in the low risk group. CONCLUSIONS: The present scoring system is a valuable tool for diagnosis of testicular torsion, eliminating the necessity of ultrasound in 80% of cases. Prospective validation of this score is necessary.