Isolated right testicular pain for six days: an unusual presentation of occult abdominal aortic aneurysm leak

Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2011 May;93(4):e1-2. doi: 10.1308/003588411X569406.

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture commonly presents with abdominal or lower back pain and haemodynamic instability. There have been case reports of co-existing left testicular pain;(1) however, very few cases describe right testicular pain as the sentinel symptom. We discuss the case of a 75-year-old man who presented to the on-call urologists with a 6-day history of right testicular pain. On examination, a painless AAA was detected. The patient was stable and a CT scan demonstrated a large AAA extending into the right iliac vessels, with suggestion of leakage. Attempted emergency repair was unsuccessful and the patient died in theatre. This atypical presentation of occult aneurysm leak highlights the need for clinical vigilance in the older patient with seemingly benign groin symptoms, including isolated right testicular pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / complications*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Rupture / complications*
  • Aortic Rupture / diagnostic imaging
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pain / etiology*
  • Testicular Diseases / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed