Inguinal Hernia Resulting in Testicular Ischemia

Abstract

The absence of blood flow in the testicle is classically thought to be secondary to testicular torsion; however, other etiologies of compromised testicular blood flow have been described. We present an unusual case of testicular ischemia secondary to an inguinal hernia. A 58-year-old male presented to the emergency department with right-sided scrotal pain and swelling. Color-flow Doppler ultrasound evaluation demonstrated lack of blood flow in the right testicle and a right-sided inguinal hernia. The testicular blood flow was re-established with reduction of an inguinal hernia.