Ultrasound Diagnosis of Clinically Unsuspected Ureteral Stone Presenting as Acute Scrotum

Ureteral colic is not generally included in the differential diagnoses of acute scrotal pain, although ureteral pathology is a recognized cause of pain referred to the scrotum. We report 3 patients presenting with acute scrotal pain who had normal scrotal color Doppler ultrasound scans; subsequent ultrasound of the ipsilateral kidney revealed hydronephrosis, which ultimately led to the clinically unsuspected diagnosis of ureteral colic. We conclude that ureteral colic should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotal pain, and we further suggest that a survey ultrasound of the kidney on the side of the pain should be performed in patients presenting with acute scrotal pain and a normal color Doppler ultrasound examination of the scrotum.