Mumps Epididymo-orchitis: Treatment by Anesthetic Block of the Spermatic Cord

THE CLINICAL course of mumps epididymo-orchitis is extremely variable. Severe pain and gross scrotal swelling usually occur unilaterally approximately three days to one week after the symptoms of parotitis have disappeared. Although swelling and pain may persist for as long as three weeks, a mild case of mumps epididymo-orchitis will last only three to four days. Body temperatures may range as high as 106 F (41.1 C). Varying degrees of testicular atrophy result in at least 30% of these cases, although no direct relationship has been seen between the intensity of the symptoms and the degree or frequency of atrophy. Bilateral atrophy is extremely rare; in such cases hormonal activity is usually preserved by the rugged Sertoli's cells. Because of these many variables in the course of mumps epididymo-orchitis, the effectiveness of various forms of therapy is difficult to assess. Diethylstilbestrol appears to be of no value therapeutically; it may