[63] Traumatic testicular displacement and torsion: A case report and literature review

Objective To report on a case of traumatic testicular displacement (TTD) and torsion, which is a rare consequence of pelvic trauma. Methods A 34-year-old motorcycle rider who presented immediately following a head-on collision with a car. His past surgical history included bilateral inguinal varicocoele repair. The patient recalled that his genitals collided with a part of the motorcycle before coming off the vehicle. He complained of left-sided groin pain and was found to have an empty left hemi-scrotum, a tender palpable lump in the left suprapubic region, and bruising in the area. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an empty scrotum and an ovoid structure measuring 5 × 3 × 4 cm in the subcutaneous tissue with an adjacent spermatic cord and surrounding fat stranding. He was immediately transferred to the operating theatre for surgical exploration of the lower abdomen. Results After anaesthesia, the testis was repositioned into the scrotum and then we proceeded with exploration of the scrotum that revealed a torted left testicle. De-torsion, warm fomentation and orchidopexy of a viable left testicle was performed. He made an uneventful recovery. He was then transferred to a tertiary trauma centre for further management of his injuries. TTD is defined as migration of one or both testicle outside the scrotum. The most common mechanism of trauma is a rapid deceleration straddle injury against a motorcycle fuel tank. Predisposing factors include inguinal hernia repair, wide external inguinal ring, and atrophic testes. Radiological examinations of choice include colour-flow Doppler ultrasonography and CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis. Management consists of either closed reduction of the testicle or surgical exploration. Conclusion Early diagnosis and management of TTD is imperative to preserve the displaced testicle.