epididymitis
- Related Topics:
- infectious disease
- epididyme
epididymitis, inflammation of the epididymis, the cordlike structure that runs along the posterior of the testis (testicle) and contains spermatozoa. In young men, epididymitis is most often caused by sexually transmitted agents such as Chlamydia and gonococcus, while in older men it is more likely to occur sporadically—e.g., from intestinal bacteria that gain access to the bloodstream and then spread to the epididymis, or following diagnostic or surgical procedures. Epididymitis in young boys may be an indication of anatomical or urological abnormalities. Other risk factors include history of urinary tract infection, prostate enlargement, and having an uncircumcised penis.
Symptoms of epididymitis include pain and swelling of the epididymis and sometimes of the scrotum or testicles. Other symptoms may include painful urination, blood-streaked semen, urethral discharge, and, less commonly, fever. When severe, epididymitis can spread to the adjacent testis. In some cases the condition persists for weeks, in which case it is known as chronic epididymitis.
Diagnosis may involve screening for the presence of a sexually transmitted infection, urine or blood testing, and imaging of the testicles by ultrasound. Epididymitis typically is treated with antibiotics. In severe cases or in cases involving underlying physical abnormalities, epididymectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of the epididymis, may be considered.
