A wide variety of conditions can cause scrotal pain. An equal number of conditions can cause scrotal swelling. Either scrotal pain or swelling can be evaluated non-urgently. However, the combination of both scrotal pain with swelling is a very serious problem that demands emergent, immediate attention in order to make sure that testicular torsion is not present. Testicular torsion is where the testis twists on itself and cuts off the blood supply. If not surgically corrected in 6 hours, the testis becomes irreparably damaged. It is, therefore, important for the family to make sure that, when a patient complains of scrotal pain, it's not associated with any swelling. The family needs to become comfortable with the genital exam when the boy is well so that, if the boy complains of pain, the family can confirm for themselves that no significant swelling is present and thereby saving a trip to the emergency room.

If the family notices the genital swelling in association with pain, then an urgent visit to the emergency room is necessary to make sure that no serious condition is present.