Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to present the current experience and evidence relating to surgical evaluation and management of nonrenal genitourinary presentation in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). Henoch-Schönlein purpura is the most common systemic vasculitis in childhood. Presenting symptoms include a rash, arthralgia, abdominal pain, and, frequently, renal involvement. Genitourinary symptoms are infrequently reported; however, surgical evaluation is often required.
Methods: A MEDLINE literature search of the last 3 decades was conducted using the terms Henoch-Schönlein purpura in combination with acute scrotum or genitourinary, genital, or related symptoms as the keywords. Reference lists of retrieved articles were reviewed for further relevant articles. Case reports were included when no larger case series were found. Articles of foreign language were included if abstracts proved sufficient information.
Results: Genitourinary manifestations are mainly anecdotally reported. Scrotal pain and swelling were the most frequent nonrenal genitourinary symptoms reported in children with HSP, occurring in about 13% of boys evaluated for HSP. No prospective, population-based reports on genitourinary manifestations in HSP were found, thus making estimation of the true incidence difficult.
Conclusions: A wide variety of nonrenal genitourinary pathology may be expected by surgical evaluation of patients with HSP. Most cases are self-limited in nature. Scrotal symptoms are frequent, but testicular torsion is highly unlikely when the diagnosis of HSP is established. Clinical vigilance should be paid to patients with possible obstructive ureteritis, for whom prompt surgical intervention may be indicated.