Should I be worried about bell clapper?

For a male who is born with bell clapper deformity, his testes are hanging in the scrotum and can swing freely, like a clapper in a bell. This can then lead to twisting. This deformity affects both testes, although it is very rare for twisting, or torsion, to occur in both sides of the scrotum at once.

Is bell clapper deformity common?

This congenital abnormality is present in approximately 12% of males and is bilateral in 40% of cases. The bell clapper deformity allows the testicle to twist spontaneously on the spermatic cord.

What causes bell clapper deformity?

Failure of Development of Testis Support Structures Failure of normal posterior anchoring of the gubernaculum, epididymis and testis is called a bell clapper deformity because it leaves the testis free to swing and rotate within the tunica vaginalis of the scrotum much like the gong (clapper) inside of a bell.

Can testicular torsion be cured itself?

Testicular torsion almost always requires surgery to correct. In rare cases, the doctor might be able to untwist the spermatic cord by pushing on the scrotum, but most guys will still need surgery to attach both testicles to the scrotum to prevent torsion from happening in the future.

Is bell clapper deformity genetic?

Under normal circumstances, testicles are attached to the scrotum, and are fixed in place. Some males are born with no attachments holding the testes to the scrotum, causing the testicle to rotate freely in the scrotum – this is known as the bell clapper deformity, and is a genetic condition.

Can you see a bell clapper deformity on ultrasound?

The most common symptom is acute testicular pain and the most common underlying cause, a bell-clapper deformity. The diagnosis is often made clinically but if it is in doubt, an ultrasound is helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

Can bell clapper be fixed?

Bell Clapper Testes can be treated by a day case operation to fix the testicles in the scrotum. This operation is called Scrotal Fixation of Testes. If your son develops pain in their testicle you should take them straight to your local Emergency Department.

What happens if testicular torsion goes untreated?

When testicular torsion is not treated for several hours, blocked blood flow can cause permanent damage to the testicle. If the testicle is badly damaged, it has to be surgically removed. Inability to father children. In some cases, damage or loss of a testicle affects a man’s ability to father children.

Can testicular torsion happen without bell clapper?

In most males, a testicle can’t twist because the tissue around it is well attached. Some males are born with no tissue holding the testes to the scrotum. This lets the testes “swing” inside the scrotum (often called a “bell clapper” deformity). Torsion can happen on either side, but rarely on both sides.

Can you produce sperm with testicular torsion?

Rarely, torsion may occur on both sides, but only in around 2 out of 100 men. If doctors remove one testicle, the remaining testicle may still produce sufficient sperm to conceive a child. However, those who have had testicular torsion may have a lower sperm count than those who have not.