It is noninvasive, though it does require injection of radioactive dye through an IV line. A nuclear scan will diagnose torsion by showing decreased accumulation of dye in the testicle compared to the normal testicle. In many hospitals, the time required to prepare materials and perform a nuclear scan is so lengthy that it is not used when torsion is suspected. Your doctor almost always will give you medication for pain. Ice packs generally help reduce pain and swelling.
Torsion requires immediate surgery by a urologist.
Prior to surgery, a doctor may attempt to untwist the testicle to relieve the problem temporarily. In addition to pain medicine, the doctor will give you antibiotics for 7-10 days. The particular antibiotic used will depend on your age and on your allergy, if any, to medication. Rarely, a man with epididymitis will need to be admitted to the hospital. The pain should go away within 1 week.