Page 584 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Reproductive system: 2.2 The male reproductive tr act 559

VetBooks.ir 2.160 Diagnosis
Diagnosis is obvious when infection is preceded

Abnormal epididymis by trauma with or without laceration. Ultrasound
with cystic structures examination of the scrotum will demonstrate scro-
and a firm mass tal oedema and pockets of fluid accumulation.
Abdominocentesis, a CBC and fibrinogen estima-
tion should be performed.

Management
Testis Broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics and anti-
inflammatories are aimed at controlling the infec-
tion and inflammation. Chronic open wounds
that do not involve the tunica albuginea should
be debrided and lavaged with copious amounts of
sterile saline under general anaesthesia. Such wounds
Fig. 2.160 Ultrasound image of a sperm granuloma. are best left open to allow for drainage and healing
by second intention.
Prognosis
The prognosis is poor for resumption of fertility if Prognosis
the condition is bilateral. If the infection can be controlled and it has not
extended into the peritoneal cavity or the testis itself,
SCROTAL INFECTION/CELLULITIS the prognosis is good.

Definition/overview SCROTAL DERMATITIS
Scrotal infection/cellulitis is defined as a bacterial
infection of the scrotal sac and/or skin. Definition/overview
Scrotal dermatitis manifests as injury and inflamma-
Aetiology/pathophysiology tion of the scrotal skin.
Scrotal infection generally follows scrotal trauma,
but it can also occur secondary to peritonitis. Aetiology/pathophysiology
Chronic scrotal oedema can cause tissue damage, The scrotal skin is delicate and prone to irrita-
cellulitis and eventual sloughing of scrotal skin. tion from foreign substances such as leg paints, fly
sprays, alcohol and soaps. Almost any chemical has
Clinical presentation the potential to cause contact dermatitis of the scro-
Stallions with infection of the scrotal sac present tal skin. Overly aggressive cold application in cases
with an enlarged, swollen scrotum and pyrexia. of scrotal trauma can cause dermatitis. Even slight
History may include trauma or exposure to a mare thickening of the scrotal skin due to dermatitis and
for breeding. Cases caused by extension of peritoni- its accompanying oedema impacts on testis ther-
tis into the scrotal sac may present with depression moregulation and spermatogenesis. Chronic scrotal
and colic. dermatitis can cause subfertility and infertility of
stallions.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnoses include all other causes of Clinical presentation
scrotal enlargement including scrotal oedema, The clinical appearance depends on the cause. Slight
scrotal sarcoid, frostbite of the scrotal skin, scrotal thickening of the scrotal skin and oedema, along
hernia, orchitis, testicular torsion and hydrocoele. with visible lesions of the scrotal skin, are typical.