Scrotal Swelling

It should be considered normal for a male to have two testes in their scrotum. Conditions can occur that produce additional scrotal swelling. These include epididymal cyst, hydrocoele (fluid around the testicle), epididymitis (inflamed sperm tubes), varicocoele and one particular form of abdominal hernia, the inguinal hernia.

From puberty, all males should be encouraged to perform regular testicular self examination in order to detect abnormal swellings in the scrotum. It is important that such swellings are assessed by a competent clinician who should exclude a testicular tumour which requires surgical treatment.

The sudden onset of scrotal pain could be the result of testicular torsion (twisting) and requires urgent assessment.

Not all scrotal swellings do require surgery and some may be treated by non-surgical means. Consideration should be given to the diagnosis, severity of symptoms and patient wishes when discussing surgery.