What is the most common cause of acute scrotal pain in adults?

The most common cause of acute scrotal pain in adults is epididymitis and testicular torsion. These two conditions often present with sudden onset pain and require prompt evaluation and treatment.

Epididymitis typically occurs due to an infection, which can lead to inflammation and swelling of the epididymis, causing significant discomfort. Common pathogens include sexually transmitted infections in younger men and urinary tract organisms in older individuals. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and sometimes fever, making it a frequent diagnosis in acute scrotal pain presentations.

On the other hand, testicular torsion is a surgical emergency where the spermatic cord becomes twisted, compromising blood flow to the affected testicle. This condition presents with severe, sharp pain and typically requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent testicular necrosis.

While other conditions like testicular cancer, inguinal hernias, and hydroceles can cause scrotal issues, they are not considered the most common acute causes of scrotal pain. Testicular cancer usually presents with a painless mass rather than acute pain, inguinal hernias may cause discomfort but are often less acute, and hydroceles are generally painless fluid collections. Therefore, the pairing of epididymitis and