Left Sided Testicular Pain

Thank you for your time Doctor.

History:

2 Years ago I was experiencing similar symptoms; left sided testicular pain and minor swelling. The testicle was high riding. I went to the ER, was exmamined w/ ultrasound and was diagnosed with epiditimytis. Subsequently, I went to a urologist 2 weeks later after the pain was still there but very very minor. The urologist, after examination, said everything felt normal.

Now:

I am again, 2 years later, experiencing similar left sided testicular pain/high riding. I went to a urologist 3 days ago, and after physical examnation and prostate exam, was told that everything felt normal but there may be a tiny bit of inflamation (inflammation). I was prescribed Levaquin but still do not feel any better. (this pain has been on an off for about 2 months now). I have another ultrasound ordered, but it is not for a week.

I am wondering what is causing this. Should I be very worried about cancer etc? Thanks a lot.

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

If you do not truly have tenderness when you squeeze your scrotal contents on the left side (more than the usual discomfort that one would have when doing so), then I'd be considering a referred pain due to a kidney stone. Even if your urinalysis is clear, I'd want to rule that out. Another consideration would be a varicocele (varicose veins draining the blood from that testis.
Cancer is real low on my list of possibilities.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.