Suppurative appendicitis presenting acute scrotal pain: a rare condition may confuse surgeons

Late stage diagnosis of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix: a case report of an unusual tumor with a rare presentation

BACKGROUND

The incidence of mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinomas (MAA) has increased over the past three decades. Advanced stage tumor diagnosis is likely attributable to non-specific findings. Here we describe advanced stage appendiceal MAA presenting as inguinal ulcers, scrotal abscesses, and other nonspecific symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MAA presenting as inguinal pain with inflamed phlegmonous tissue and scrotal abscess.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 67-year-old male presented to a rural facility complaining of weight-loss, fatigue, hematuria, dysuria, painful right inguinal ulceration, and right scrotal abscess drainage. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a distended appendix (> 1.3 cm) and a fistula between the appendix, urinary bladder, right scrotum, and right groin. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed and diagnosed as MAA. After a right hemicolectomy, the MAA was staged as pT3b pN0 M0 G2.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights a unique presentation of late stage appendiceal MAA. Due to the increased incidence of appendiceal MAAs, reports of unique clinical features are needed to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention, especially in rural settings with limited access to specialists.

Campylobacter jejuni enterocolitis presenting with testicular pain: A case report

BACKGROUND

Common symptoms of Campylobacter colitis include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, among others. However, Campylobacter colitis also has a high incidence of extraintestinal symptoms.

CASE SUMMARY

We report the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with bilateral testicular pain. A scrotal examination failed to reveal any physical findings, but the patient exhibited mild tenderness in the right lower abdomen. Computed tomography revealed ileocecal wall thickening. Post-admission, the patient developed diarrhea, and a stool culture was submitted; Campylobacter jejuni infection was confirmed. Testicular pain is known to be caused by appendicitis. Consequently, we suggest that Campylobacter colitis, which causes ileocecal inflammation, caused the testicular pain in this case.

CONCLUSION

In patients with testicular pain and no other objective findings, diseases such as Campylobacter colitis should be considered.

What is beyond testicular torsion and epididymitis? Rare differential diagnoses of acute scrotal pain in adults: A systematic review

Background

Acute scrotal pain is a urological emergency. While for testicular torsion and acute epididymitis clinical recommendations are well established, few is known about low incidence causes of acute scrotal pain. Our aim is to identify and characterise rare differential diagnoses of acute scrotal pain in order to give diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases up to February 2019 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. The systematic review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018099472).

Results

Eighty-four publications were selected for analysis. The databases provided mostly case reports, series and small studies, overall reporting on a cohort of 245 cases. Tumors, segmental testicular infarction, testicular vasculitis, pancreatitis, brucellosis, spermatic vein thrombosis, acute aortic syndrome and appendicitis were identified as rare underlying causes of acute scrotal pain and were characterised. As a result of our data analysis we were able to draw an overview of the rare differential diagnoses and diagnostic management of acute scrotal pain.

Conclusion

Rare differential diagnoses of acute scrotal pain are susceptible to misinterpretation as testicular torsion or acute epididymo-orchitis. Surgical management is indicated in case of suspicion for torsion or tumor. We herein present knowledge of the rare differential diagnoses and raise awareness for associated systemic disease in order to facilitate disease management and increase the potential for testicle-sparing treatment.

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First systematic approach to assess literature for rare differential diagnoses of acute scrotal pain.

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Disease characterization including sonographic features.

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Flow chart for the diagnostic and treatment options of acute scrotal pain beyond testicular torsion and common epididymo-orchitis.

Appendicular abscess masquerading as right testicular mass

A 38-year-old man presented with an acute onset of pain and swelling of the right testis. On examination, he was tender in the right iliac fossa (RIF) with a grossly enlarged and tender right testis. Ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed right epididymo-orchitis, a bulky and inflamed right spermatic cord and a well- defined, thick-walled collection in the RIF.