A case of testicular torsion in an intact Cane Corso

Abstract

A 1.5 year old intact male Cane Corso presented with bilateral hind limb lameness of 3 days duration and scrotal swelling of 1.5 days duration. On examination, moderate scrotal swelling was appreciable and right testis was twice the size of left. Increased turgidity and pain were present on palpation of right testis, whereas left testis was normal on palpation. Differential diagnoses included testicular torsion, trauma, brucellosis, and neoplasia. Based on clinical presentation and the acute nature of symptoms in this case, a testicular torsion was placed at top of the differential list. Canine testicular torsion most commonly results from cryptorchidism with associated neoplasia. Testicular torsions of scrotal testes are less common.1 Regardless of origin, rotation of testis compromises venous return and leads to interstitial hemorrhage, local ischemia, testicular infarction, and eventual necrosis of the gonad.2 Clinical signs of testicular torsion can include lethargy, stiffness or lameness of the hind limbs, pyrexia, pain, enlarged testis, and visible scrotal swelling.2,3 Ultrasonography with Doppler is useful in diagnosing testicular torsion via identification of compromised blood flow to affected testis.1-3 Client expressed no interest in preserving the patient’s breeding capacity and a bilateral orchiectomy was performed. Right testis was enlarged and dark purple, suggestive of congestion, ischemia, and edema. Gross appearance of left testis was normal. Histopathology of right testis had marked congestion with hemorrhage, edema, and thrombosis within spermatic cord to the level of epididymis with marked interstitial edema in seminiferous tubules. Surgical recovery and healing were uneventful and the patient achieved complete resolution of clinical signs. This case demonstrated the diagnosis and treatment of scrotal testicular torsion, considered a rare event in dogs.