Tuberculous Orchiepididymitis During 1978-2003 Period: Review of 34 Cases and Role of 16SrRNA Amplification

Genitourinary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 543 patients in Spanish hospital from 1978 through 2003. Of the 371 male 34 (9.2%) had orchiepididymitis. Mean age was 52.7 years and the presenting symptom was scrotal swelling and/or pain. Over 50% of cases involved the right ovotestis. Associated renal tuberculosis and active disease in extraurological organs presented in 64% and 19.2% of cases, respectively. Diagnosis was established by culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis recovery from urine and/or purulent scrotal exudate. Genomic amplification techniques aided the diagnosis in 8 patients. Treatment was rifampin, isoniazide, and pyrazinamide or ethambutol. Eight patients required combined medical and surgical treatment.