Testicular rupture is a rip or tear in the tunica albuginea resulting in extrusion of the

testicular A testicle or testis (plural testes) is the male reproductive gland or gonad in all bilaterians, including humans. It is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testes are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testosteron ...

contents, including the

seminiferous tubule Seminiferous tubules are located within the testes, and are the specific location of meiosis, and the subsequent creation of male gametes, namely spermatozoa. Structure The epithelium of the tubule consists of a type of sustentacular cells known ...

s. It is a rare complication of testicular trauma, and can result from blunt or penetrating trauma, although blunt trauma is more likely to cause rupture. Testicular rupture, typically resulting from trauma sustained during a motor vehicle crash or sports play, mainly affects those from the ages of 10–30. The main symptoms of testicular rupture are scrotal swelling and severe pain, which can make diagnosis difficult. Testicular rupture should be suspected whenever blunt trauma to the scrotum has been sustained. Treatment consists of surgical exploration with repair of the injury. __TOC__

Treatment

A potential testicular rupture is evaluated with

ultrasound Ultrasound is sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is not different from "normal" (audible) sound in its physical properties, except that humans cannot hear it. This limit varies ...

imaging. Testicular rupture is treated with surgery, but the procedure performed depends on the magnitude of the injury and the salvageability of the tissue. An

orchiectomy Orchiectomy (also named orchidectomy, and sometimes shortened as orchi or orchie) is a surgical procedure in which one or both testicles are removed. The surgery is performed as treatment for testicular cancer, as part of surgery for transgend ...

, which is the removal of the affected testis, is done when the testis is not salvageable and leads to reduced

semen Semen, also known as seminal fluid, is an organic bodily fluid created to contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize the female ovum. Sem ...

quality and higher rates of endocrine dysfunction than repair of salvageable tissue.

Prognosis

90% of ruptured testes are successfully repaired when treated surgically within 72 hours; the percentage of successful treatment drops to 45% after this period. Though not typically fatal, testicular rupture can cause

hypogonadism Hypogonadism means diminished functional activity of the gonads—the testes or the ovaries—that may result in diminished production of sex hormones. Low androgen (e.g., testosterone) levels are referred to as hypoandrogenism and low estroge ...

, low self-esteem, and infertility. However, if left untreated the damaged tissue may become

necrotic Necrosis () is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue by autolysis. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, or trauma which result in the unregulated dige ...

, which could lead to death.{{cn, date=May 2021

References

Testicle disorders Men's health