Dirofilariasis Causing Pediatric Acute Scrotum: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dirofilarial infestation has been reported as an extremely rare cause of pediatric acute scrotum. We aimed to evaluate clinical, radiological, and intraoperative findings of children who underwent surgical management for acute scrotum due to dirofilariasis in an endemic country. A retrospective study of patient records of children who underwent surgery for acute scrotum due to dirofilariasis between 2018 and 2022. There were eight emergency presentations for acute scrotum due to dirofilariasis. Three presentations (37.5%) were not associated with scrotal pain. The median age at presentation was 59 (range: 19–100) months. Four patients (67.7%) underwent emergency scrotal exploration at the first presentation and another one during the second presentation. Recurrent episodes were seen in two patients who were initially managed nonsurgically with antibiotics alone. Ultrasonography was performed in all six patients and revealed a parasitic nodule in three (50%). Dirofilariasis causing acute scrotum may cause significant diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. It may resemble idiopathic scrotal edema since it predominantly affects boys under 6 years of age and is painless in a significant proportion. However, left unoperated, it appears to have a high recurrence rate.