Patient's question:
For a while now, my testicles have been slightly swollen and aching. Recently, they started to hurt, especially when touched, and the other side seems to be somewhat swollen as well. I'm very worried. Could you please advise on the best treatment for epididymitis?Doctor's answer:
How to treat epididymitis requires a certain understanding of it. Early epididymitis is a cellulitis that starts in the efferent ductules and spreads to the tail of the epididymis. During the acute phase, the epididymis swells and becomes hard, with infection spreading from the tail to the head of the epididymis. On pathological sections, small abscesses can be seen, and the tunica vaginalis often exudes a large amount of serous fluid (inflammatory hydrocele of the epididymis). This fluid may contain pus, the spermatic cord may become thickened, and the testis may develop secondary congestion and edema, but it generally does not recur. Under the microscope, tissue edema, neutrophils, plasma cells, and lymphocytes infiltrate, followed by the formation of abscesses, with epithelial pyknosis. The inflammation can be completely absorbed.