A Novel Treatment of Chronic Orchialgia

• Published in: Journal of andrology Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 22 - 26
• Main Authors: Basal, Seref, Ergin, Atila, Yildirim, Ibrahim, Goktas, Serdar, Atim, Abdulkadir, Sizlan, Ali, Irkilata, Hasan Cem, Kurt, Ercan, Dayanc, Murat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2012; American Society of Andrology
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Male; Male genital diseases; Mammalian male genital system; Medical sciences; Pain - drug therapy; Testicular Diseases - drug therapy; Vertebrates: reproduction; Chronic; Reproduction; Treatment; Male genital system
• ISSN: 0196-3635; 1939-4640
• DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.110.010991

We evaluated the effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) denervation of spermatic cord for the treatment of chronic orchialgia. Five patients diagnosed with chronic orchialgia were evaluated with a thorough medical and psychiatric history, physical examination, and scrotal Doppler ultrasound, urinary system x‐ray film, and urine analyses. One of the patients had bilateral chronic orchialgia. All of the patients had pain for a period of at least 3 months, and multiple conservative therapies failed to alleviate the pain. The patients, who had temporary pain relief after undergoing outpatient diagnostic cord block, were determined to be candidates for PRF denervation. PRF denervation of spermatic cord was performed for 6 testicular units. Visual analog scores were noted before and after the procedure. There were no pathologic conditions that indicated chronic orchialgia in any of the patients. No complications, including testicular atrophy or hypoesthesia of the scrotal or penile skin, occurred after the procedure. Mean visual analog scores before and after the procedure were 9 and 1, respectively. None of the patients needed any analgesics after the procedure or during the follow‐up period. Mean follow‐up period was 20 ± 2.5 weeks. No recurrence was noted, and none of the patients needed additional therapy. This is a limited case report on the short‐term use of PRF. Randomized, placebo‐controlled, and long follow‐up period studies are needed to better assess the efficacy of this procedure for chronic orchalgia.