Tuberculous epididymo-orchitis masquerading as acute scrotum

BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Feb 4:2016:bcr2015214060. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-214060.

Abstract

An 18-year-old boy, a refugee from Afghanistan, with no significant medical history, presented after 1 day of severe left testicular pain. History, clinical examination and scrotal ultrasound suggested the diagnosis of epididymo-orchitis. He was discharged on a 2-week course of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Six weeks later, he re-presented with a testicular abscess, continuous with the epididymal head. Incision and drainage led to laboratory confirmation of tuberculous infection. He was treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide and vitamin B6 for 9 months, with good response. Despite meeting high-risk criteria for tuberculosis, our patient had a delayed diagnosis. We present the case and discuss the lessons learned.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epididymis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Epididymis* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Orchitis / diagnosis
  • Orchitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Orchitis / etiology*
  • Scrotum* / diagnostic imaging
  • Scrotum* / pathology
  • Tuberculosis, Male Genital / complications
  • Tuberculosis, Male Genital / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Male Genital / diagnostic imaging
  • Tuberculosis, Male Genital / drug therapy
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents