PREHN'S SIGN

Prehn's sign (Douglas T. Prehn) is a medical diagnostic indicator that was once believed to
help determine whether the presenting testicular pain is caused by acute epididymitis or from
testicular torsion. Although elevation of the scrotum when differentiating epididymitis from
testicular torsion is of clinical value, Prehn's sign has been shown to be inferior to Doppler
ultrasound to rule out testicular torsion.
According to Prehn's sign, the physical lifting of the testicles relieves the pain of
epididymitis but not pain caused by testicular torsion.

Negative (-) Prehn's sign indicates no pain relief with lifting the affected testicle, which
points towards testicular torsion which is a surgical emergency and must be relieved
within 6 hours.

Positive (-) Prehn's sign indicates there is pain relief with lifting the affected testicle,
which points towards epididymitis.