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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffEpididymitis may eventually cause:
- Scrotal abscess, when infected tissue fills with pus
- Chronic epididymitis, which can occur when untreated acute epididymitis leads to recurrent episodes
- Shrinkage of the affected testicle (atrophy)
- Reduced fertility, but this is rare
If the condition spreads from your epididymis to your testicle, the resulting condition is known as epididymo-orchitis. Signs, symptoms and treatment options are basically the same as they are for epididymitis.
References
- Tracy CR, et al. Diagnosis and management of epididymitis. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2008;35:101.
- Nickel JC. Inflammatory conditions of the male genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In: Wein AJ. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/153597350-6/873677046/1445/12.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50011-X_746. Accessed Aug. 7, 2008.
- Fort GG. Epididymitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/153597350-3/873676567/1701/204.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50008-2--subchapter20_4323. Accessed Aug. 7, 2008.
- Brenner JS, et al. Causes of scrotal pain in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 7, 2008.
- Eyre RC. Evaluation of the acute scrotum in adult men http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 7, 2008.
