The Cardiovascular
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Testicular Workup for Ischemia and Suspected Torsion (TWIST)

Risk-stratifies acute scrotum for testicular torsion.

Testicular Workup for Ischemia and Suspected Torsion (TWIST)
Testicular swelling
Hard testis
Absent cremasteric reflex
Nausea or vomiting
High-riding testis
Result0 points

Low risk. Torsion unlikely; ultrasound may be avoidable.

Risk group
Low risk

When to use

  • Risk-stratifying boys with acute scrotum to prioritise imaging versus direct surgical exploration.

Formula

Points: testicular swelling (2), hard testis (2), absent cremasteric reflex (1), nausea/vomiting (1), high-riding testis (1). 0-2 low, 3-4 intermediate, 5-7 high risk.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Derived and validated primarily in a paediatric male population.

References

  1. Barbosa JA, et al. J Urol. 2013;189(5):1859-64.