Torsion of Undescended Testis Mimicking Acute Appendicitis: Case Report

Abstract

Cryptorchidism or undescended testis (UDT) is one of the most common urological disorders in boys. UDT is usually linked to an increased risk of infertility and testicular malignancy, but also to a higher and significant risk of torsion. Yet, torsion of UDT represents an unusual mode of revelation of cryptorchidism, especially in adults. Symptoms mainly include acute abdominal pain, simulating an acute appendicitis when the right testicle is affected. This uncommon clinical presentation may be responsible for delayed diagnosis and management. Thus, genital examination is important to be performed by physician in the emergency room when a male patient presents acute abdominal pain. When the torsion of an UDT is clinically suspected, no medical imaging should delay surgical exploration. Any delay in the management may affect salvage of the gland and lead to orchiectomy. In this case report, we are reporting the case of a young male who was seen in the emergency room for acute abdominal pain mimicking an acute appendicitis. Physical examination and radiological investigation confirmed the diagnosis of torsion of a right UDT.