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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res Commun / Testicular torsions in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary research communications2022; 46(2); 303-313; doi: 10.1007/s11259-021-09873-5

Testicular torsions in veterinary medicine.

Abstract: The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive comparison of spermatic cord torsion in domestic animals. Spermatic cord torsion leads to occlusion of testicular blood flow resulting in ischemia and tissue hypoxia. Spermatic cord torsion has been reported in all domestic mammals but dogs and horses are overrepresented. Abdominal pain (colic), anorexia, vomiting, lameness, and stiff gait are the most common clinical signs reported. The condition may be asymptomatic in cases of a low degree of spermatic cord torsion. In dogs, spermatic cord torsion is most commonly reported in undescended testes, which in some cases are neoplastic. However, in horses, spermatic cord torsion occurs more commonly in scrotal testes. Surgical treatment for spermatic cord torsion depends upon the degree and duration of torsion. If the affected testis is located within the scrotum and determined to still be viable, detorsion with orchidopexy can be performed. Orchiopexy of the unaffected scrotal testis is also recommended in stallions. If the affected testis cannot be salvaged, unilateral or bilateral orchidectomy is recommended. In all cases of spermatic cord torsion of an undescended testis, orchidectomy is recommended. Veterinarians should be aware of the clinical signs and treatment options for spermatic cord torsion in domestic mammals.
© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-10 PubMed ID: 35001221PubMed Central: 5443302DOI: 10.1007/s11259-021-09873-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article is a comprehensive review of spermatic cord torsion in domestic animals, particularly focusing on dogs and horses, with a special emphasis on its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Understanding Spermatic Cord Torsion

  • Spermatic cord torsion is a condition that results from the twisting of the spermatic cord which contributes to testicular blood flow.
  • When the spermatic cord is twisted, it blocks the blood flow to the testicles, thereby causing ischemia (a low blood supply) and tissue hypoxia (a lack of oxygen in the tissues).
  • This condition could be present in all domestic mammals, but it has been more commonly reported in dogs and horses. The plausibility of occurrence in other species is not disregarded.

Clinical Manifestations

  • The signs of spermatic cord torsion may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, lameness, and stiff gait, which are some of the most commonly reported symptoms.
  • In some cases, the condition may go unnoticed and be asymptomatic, especially when the degree of torsion of the spermatic cord is low.
  • The article suggests that spermatic cord torsion is commonly reported in undescended testes in dogs, which in some cases could be linked with neoplastic growths. In horses, on the other hand, this condition appears more frequently in scrotal testes.

Treatment Options

  • The surgical approach for treating spermatic cord torsion would depend on the degree and duration of the torsion.
  • If the testis that is affected is still deemed viable and located within the scrotum, detorsion with orchidopexy (a surgical operation to fix the testes in the scrotum) can be performed.
  • If it is not possible to salvage the affected testis, unilateral or bilateral orchidectomy (surgical removal of one or both testes) is suggested.
  • Orchiopexy of the unaffected scrotal testis is also recommended for stallions.
  • In every case where the undescended testis experiences spermatic cord torsion, orchidectomy is always recommended.

This research article implies the significance for veterinarians to be aware of the clinical signs and treatment options available for spermatic cord torsion in domestic animals in order to provide appropriate and effective medical care.

Cite This Article

APA
Raisi A, Davoodi F. (2022). Testicular torsions in veterinary medicine. Vet Res Commun, 46(2), 303-313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-021-09873-5

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 2
Pages: 303-313

Researcher Affiliations

Raisi, Abbas
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. raisi.a@lu.ac.ir.
Davoodi, Farshid
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. Farshiddavoodi620@yahoo.com.
  • Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Farshiddavoodi620@yahoo.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases
  • Dogs
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Mammals
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / diagnosis
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / surgery
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / veterinary
  • Testis / surgery

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