Can Epididymitis Lead to Testicular Necrosis?
Epididymitis is a common type of male reproductive system disease. However, once diagnosed with epididymitis, many patients will have deep concerns and doubts, especially regarding the possible consequences of epididymitis. Among them, whether epididymitis can lead to testicular necrosis has become an urgent question that patients want to know.
Can Epididymitis Lead to Testicular Necrosis?
If the inflammatory response is severe during acute epididymitis, the tissues inside the epididymis will show severe congestion, edema, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. If inflammation is not controlled promptly, it may spread to the testicles, causing blood vessels to become embolized, blood circulation to be obstructed, and testicular tissue may not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrient supply, leading to ischemic necrosis.
In addition, if epididymitis is caused by particular pathogen infections, such as Clostridium perfringens, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, etc., these pathogens have strong invasiveness and destructive power, which are more likely to cause inflammatory severe reactions and increase the risk of testicular necrosis.
In addition to pathogenic factors, the patient's physical condition can also affect the development and prognosis of epididymitis. Suppose the patient has diabetes, low immune function, malnutrition, or other diseases. In that case, the body's resistance and immunity are weak, inflammation is more challenging to control, and the possibility of testicular necrosis will increase accordingly.
In addition, if patients do not seek medical attention promptly after the onset of epididymitis or do not strictly follow the doctor's requirements for treatment during the treatment process, such as stopping medication on their own, increasing or decreasing medication dosage, and not paying attention to rest, it can also lead to the spread of inflammation and increase the risk of testicular necrosis.
In certain conditions, epididymitis may indeed lead to testicular necrosis. So, how can one determine if the disease has affected the testicle?
Doctors usually judge through detailed physical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging examinations. During physical examination, doctors will touch the testicles to check their size, texture, temperature, and tenderness. If the testicular volume increases, the texture becomes complicated, and the apparent tenderness indicates that the testicles may have been affected.
Laboratory tests, such as blood routine, blood biochemistry, semen analysis, and others, can help doctors understand the severity of inflammation and its impact on testicular function.
Imaging examinations such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can display the morphology, structure, and blood flow of the testes and epididymis, helping to determine whether there are ischemic, necrotic, and other lesions in the testes.
Once the possibility is identified, doctors will apply proactive measures to prevent testicular necrosis:
Medical treatment primarily involves antibiotics to control infection, commonly cephalosporins, quinolones, macrolides, etc. Pain relievers are also used if pain symptoms are significant. If antibiotics prove ineffective, herbal medicine Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill can be prescribed, effectively killing various pathogens and eliminating inflammatory infections. The pill also promotes circulation in the epididymal area, easing swelling and pain symptoms.
During medical treatment, patients need bed rest with the scrotum elevated to alleviate pain and swelling. If abscesses form in the epididymis or testicle or if medical treatment fails, surgical options such as incision and drainage of the epididymis or even testicle removal may be considered.
For patients with epididymitis, timely detection and treatment are crucial in preventing testicular necrosis. If symptoms like pain or swelling in the scrotal area occur in daily life, prompt medical attention is advised. Delaying treatment due to embarrassment or neglect can worsen the condition.
During treatment, strict adherence to medical advice, timely medication, regular check-ups, adequate rest, a balanced diet, and maintaining good lifestyle habits are essential to enhancing the body's resistance and immunity and promoting recovery.
Recommend readings:
Is It Difficult to Cure Epididymitis With Hard Lumps?
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