What is the cause of a hematoma (blood blister) on the scrotum?

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Differential Diagnosis for Blood Blister on Scrotum

  • Single Most Likely Diagnosis
    • Trauma: This is the most likely cause of a blood blister on the scrotum, as it can result from a direct blow to the area, leading to blood accumulation under the skin.
  • Other Likely Diagnoses
    • Angiokeratoma: A benign vascular lesion that can appear as a blood blister and is common on the scrotum.
    • Thrombophlebitis: Inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot, which can cause a painful blister-like lesion.
    • Scrotal hematoma: A collection of blood outside of blood vessels, which can occur spontaneously or due to trauma.
  • Do Not Miss Diagnoses
    • Testicular torsion: Although it typically presents with severe pain and swelling, a blood blister could be an associated finding, and missing this diagnosis can lead to loss of the testicle.
    • Scrotal cellulitis or abscess: Infection of the scrotum, which can cause redness, swelling, and potentially a blood-filled blister, requiring prompt antibiotic treatment.
    • Malignancy (e.g., scrotal squamous cell carcinoma): Although rare, any unexplained or persistent lesion on the scrotum should be evaluated for the possibility of cancer.
  • Rare Diagnoses
    • Fabry disease: A genetic disorder that can cause angiokeratomas, including on the scrotum, due to the accumulation of a particular type of fat in the body's cells.
    • Scurvy: Vitamin C deficiency, which can lead to poor wound healing and potentially to blood blisters due to blood vessel fragility.
    • Kaposi's sarcoma: A type of cancer that can cause lesions on the skin, including the scrotum, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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