Death in the Scrotum: Testicular Torsion

IN medieval days a man with three testicles was reputed to have obtained special dispensation to marry two wives, but the majority of modern males are not so blessed. Torsion of the spermatic cord, which can produce permanent testicular damage within four hours,^{1 , 2} must therefore be regarded as a surgical emergency requiring prompt operative correction to preserve testicular viability. Impaired function of the opposite testis, resulting perhaps from developmental abnormalities, or subsequent contralateral torsion may otherwise result in infertility or arrested sexual development.Once considered a rarity,³ torsion actually has an annual incidence of one case per 4000 males below . . .