Groin pain etiology: Spermatic cord and testicular causes

Abstract

Groin pain is a challenging clinical problem with a myriad of underlying causes spanning multiple medical specialties. Urological etiologies are often the focus of the diagnostic process; thus, a working knowledge of urological causes is helpful for all specialists who treat groin pain. Although there are multiple identifiable causes of chronic groin pain, often in practice no clear underlying cause is found, and the diagnosis of "chronic pelvic pain syndrome" is given. We still have much to learn about the pathophysiology of chronic groin pain. More robust animal model and clinical studies are needed to develop targeted therapies. In this chapter, we present a review of our current knowledge of how groin pain is classified, evaluated, and managed by urologists. Although complete resolution of chronic pain can be an elusive goal in some patients, effective medical and surgical strategies toward a cure are available for most.