Groin pain in pediatric athletes: Perspectives from an urologist

Abstract

Groin and scrotal pain can be a common symptom among pediatric athletes. Although musculoskeletal etiologies are generally the underlying etiology, other medical conditions associated with a urologic origin may be responsible. This chapter reviews inguinal and scrotal pathologies that cause groin pain and their associated pathology, diagnosis, and treatment. Groin pain can be associated with either an intrascrotal or extrascrotal pathology. The conditions arising from pathology distant from the scrotum produce scrotal pain by stimulating genitofemoral, iliofemoral, or posterior scrotal nerves. Conditions such as ureteric stones, peritonitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and polyarteritis nodosa may be indicated by scrotal pain. The duration of pain (chronic vs acute) is important since the associated pathologies and the approaches are different. Urologic conditions that cause chronic groin-scrotal pain (varicocele, hernia) and acute pain (acute scrotum, Henoch–Schönlein Purpura, idiopathic scrotal edema, lmphadenitis, lower ureter stones) and trauma has been discussed in terms of diagnostic approach and treatment.