Testicular torsion has an incidence of one case per 4,000 men/boys. Most fr
equently affected are pubescent boys. Average testicular salvage rate is on
ly 50%, and infertility can result. Testicular torsion remains problematic
for emergency physicians (EPs) as clinical diagnosis can be difficult and o
ther testicular pathology can present similarly. In many institutions there
are delays in obtaining Doppler or Scintigraphy studies during off hours.
We report two cases of testicular torsion diagnosed by the treating EPs usi
ng power Doppler in the emergency department (ED). Rapid diagnosis of torsi
on led to successful salvage of the affected testicle in both cases. These
represent the first cases for emergency screening ultrasound examinations (
ESUEs) of testicular torsion in the literature. Rapid technological advance
s over the last decade have brought portable equipment with high-resolution
capability to the bed side for EPs, who should consider using it more freq
uently to evaluate testicular torsion. (Am J Emerg Med 2000;18:198-200. Cop
yright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company).