Voiceless disability: A worth case of bilateral infrainguinal testicular torsion in a patient with cerebropalsy. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guida, Edoardo; Verzotti, Enrica; Codrich, Daniela; Pederiva, Federica; Di Grazia, Massimo; Schleef, Jurgen
• Is Part Of: Annals of medicine and surgery. Volume 33(2018)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Testicular torsion -- Undescended testis -- Cerebropalsy -- Children; Surgery -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; General Surgery -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2018.08.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-0801

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: A fast surgical treatment is the gold standard when a testicular torsion is diagnosed. However, an early diagnosis of torsion may not be feasible in case of torsion associated with undescended testis in the patients affected by cerebropalsy. Case presentation: A Bolivian 16 year old male with acquired cerebropalsy and spastic neuromuscular disease was admitted to our Institute for a right inguinal swelling observed by the father in the morning. Indeed, the father had reported that the swelling had may be started two days before without pain or any other symptoms apparently. Two episodes of vomiting were only reported. At the general examination the patient, apparently, seemed to laugh repeatedly and a spastic movements increase were observed. The child had an infrainguinal bilateral cryptorchidism. An urgent left infrainguinal orchyectomy had been performed in the past and controlateral cryptorchidism was not corrected. At the right inguinal exploration, a complete twist of the spermatic chord was observed and a right orchyectomy was then performed. Discussion: Testicular torsion in the inguinal canal is a rare reported condition that usually can involve patients with spastic neuromuscular disease. Processing, communication and verbalization of a chronic or acute pain seems to be different in a child with or without intellectual disability. It could be a lot more difficult to correct pain interpretation, with an important repercussion on pain accurate assessment and management. Conclusion: In the patients with intellectual disability, a control of the testicles, it should always be done, mostly in case of atypical behaviour. Highlights: An early diagnosis of a testicular torsion may not be feasible in case of torsion associated with undescended testis in the patients affected by intellectual disability. Processing, communication and verbalization of a chronic or acute pain seems to be different in a child with or without intellectual disability. Atypical behaviour could be present in the children without capacity to verbalize the pain. In the patients with intellectual disability, a control of the testicles should always be carried out, mostly in case of atypical behaviour.