Epididymitis, either unilateral or bilateral, in a prepubertal male:

D. Is a rare phenomenon.

DISCUSSION: Epididymitis can occur in prepubescent males, but it is a rare phenomenon and usually occurs only in patients with chronic UTI, obstructed urethra, or very high voiding pressure. The diagnosis of epididymitis in the prepubertal male should be reviewed with suspicion because one of the more common causes of the clinical situation that presents as epididymitis is torsion of the testicle. If there is any concern about the validity of the diagnosis, the patient should undergo scrotal exploration. Epididymitis will not be compromised by surgical exploration, but delay in surgical exploration leads to loss of the testicle if the problem is torsion.