Spermatic cord block series provides relief in men with chronic scrotal content pain

Men suffering from refractory chronic scrotal content pain may benefit from a series of spermatic cord blocks, which is safe and minimally invasive, suggests a study. Response to cord block series appears independent of symptom duration, perceived aetiology, or prior medical and surgical treatments.

The authors evaluated relief of chronic scrotal content pain following spermatic cord block series, with a combination of local anaesthetic and a steroid, and assessed factors associated with a positive response and complications through a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent the procedure between 2012 and 2019.

Using an 11-point numerical pain rating scale, the authors compared pain scores before and after treatment. They also conducted a univariate analysis to examine differences between responders and nonresponders, as well as rank-order correlation to assess the relationship between symptom duration and response.

Forty-four men with chronic scrotal content pain for a median duration of 24 months, who underwent a spermatic cord block series, were included. Of these, 31 (70.5 percent) experienced sustained relief, while nine patients (20.5 percent) had complete pain resolution, at a median follow-up of 16 months.

No differences were observed in symptom duration, perceived aetiology, or previous treatments between responders and nonresponders. There was also no association seen between response and pain duration. Five men (11.4 percent) developed minor complications.

“Future studies should be conducted to evaluate long-term durability and predictors of success,” the authors said.