Congenital testicle torsion
Keywords: torsion, testicle, stallion, equine
Image size: 1188 x 779px
A 4 year old Paint stallion with 180 degrees (estimated) torsion of the right testicle; the tail of the epididymus was lying within the cranial aspect of the scrotum. A bulge caused by the tail of the epididymis is indicated by a red arrow. This was discovered during a routine breeding soundness evaluation.
As mentioned in another LORI entry on testicular torsion, it should in theory, be almost impossible because the mesorchium is usually a short and tight ligament between the parietal and visceral vaginal tunics, running the entire length of the dorsal aspect of the testicle. In this case, torsion was probably the result of congenital malformation; congenital malformations are known to predispose humans to testicular torsion.
This stallion was fertile and did not experience any pain from the condition.
Reference:
Wyatt J. K. and Mundy H. B. 1972 Torsion of the testicle: a clinical review of 20 cases, Can Med Assoc J. 107: 971–973
