An unusual case of epididymitis in a unilaterally cryptorchid adult

Background: One of the commonest congenital abnormalities identified at birth in males is cryptorchidism with an incidence of approximately 3% in full term infants.
Case report: We present an unusual case of cryptorchidism in a 55 year old gentleman who had previously had orchidopexy on the ipsilateral testis. The patient was referred by his general practitioner
with a history of a swelling in his right groin, green urethral discharge, urinary frequency and
dysuria. Laboratory investigations revealed a raised white cell count and CRP. At surgery a small
oval shaped lesion was found at the end of the spermatic cord in the inguinal canal, which was
excised. The pathology report confirmed that the lesion excised was an atrophic testis with
features consistent with an acute epididymitis.
Conclusions: Epididymitis is a rare complication of cryptorchidism and may occur in testes that are either
primary or secondary cryptorchid. The interval between surgery and presentation with the
complications may be longer than previously thought.

Keywords: Epididymitis, Cryptorchidism