Testicular Torsion: Act Quickly to Improve Outcomes |
|
|
|
At a recent CHKD Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn, Dr. Janelle Fox, chief of pediatric urology, highlighted the critical importance of early recognition and rapid treatment of testicular torsion.
Delayed presentation remains the strongest predictor of orchiectomy, with significantly higher rates of testicular loss in patients presenting more than 24 hours after symptom onset. CHKD data suggest that the incidence of pediatric testicular torsion in Hampton Roads may be higher than national estimates, underscoring the importance of regional awareness and early recognition.
Factors associated with delayed care include initial presentation outside the emergency department, Medicaid status, neurocognitive conditions, and greater distance from CHKD.
Clinical Guidance
Acute scrotal pain should be treated as an emergency requiring immediate evaluation and referral.
|
- Do not delay referral for imaging if torsion is strongly suspected
- Utilize the TWIST score to support clinical decision-making
- For TWIST scores ≥5, initiate urgent transfer without waiting for ultrasound
|
Ongoing collaboration between community providers, emergency departments, and CHKD is essential to reducing delays and improving outcomes. Early recognition and rapid escalation of care remain the most effective strategies to preserve testicular viability.
|
|
|
|
Patient Education Videos to Share
Please share these videos with your patients for brief, kid-friendly videos on testicular torsion awareness and testicular self-exams. These resources support early recognition and timely care by reinforcing education outside the office visit.
|
|
|
|
CHKD Urgent Care at Tech Center to Temporarily Close May 20-24, Outpatient Radiology Services Unavailable through July |
|
|
|
CHKD’s Urgent Care at Tech Center will be temporarily closed from May 20 through May 24 for a floor replacement project.
During this time, our radiology equipment will also begin an 8-9 week upgrade. As a result, outpatient radiology services will be unavailable at CHKD’s Urgent Care at Tech Center throughout the duration of the upgrade. The upgrade is expected to last through the end of July, however a firm completion date has not yet been determined. We will provide updates as they become available.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these improvements to better serve our patients and families.
|
|
|
|
More than 100 Robotic-Assisted Surgeries Performed |
|
|
|
CHKD surgeons are celebrating a significant surgical milestone with the completion of more than 100 robotic‑assisted procedures using the da Vinci system. Since launching the program in 2023, robotic-assisted surgery at CHKD has expanded steadily, reflecting the organization’s commitment to innovation, precision, and high‑quality pediatric surgical care. As a Level I Children’s Surgery Center, CHKD continues to advance minimally invasive techniques while maintaining the highest standards for safety, outcomes, and surgical training.
|
|
|
|
What Youth Basketball Players Who Reach the NBA Have in Common |
|
|
|
A recent study of elite U.S. high school basketball players, co‑authored by Dr. Joel Brenner, medical director of CHKD’s Sports Medicine Program, found that early sport specialization is not a prerequisite for reaching the NBA. Athletes who went on to sign NBA contracts typically specialized in basketball later, participated in multiple sports during childhood, logged less overall basketball volume, and experienced fewer severe injuries after age 14 than similarly talented peers. Greater academic and family stability also emerged as a common factor. The findings reinforce growing sports medicine evidence that multisport participation, appropriate training volume, injury prevention, and overall well‑being are key contributors to long‑term athletic success. Read more >
|
|
|
|
Dr. Cristina Baldassari Receives Dean’s Faculty Award for Mentoring |
Congratulations to Dr. Cristina Baldassari, pediatric otolaryngologist at CHKD, on receiving the 2026 Dean’s Faculty Award for Mentoring from Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. This honor recognizes faculty who excel in education, research, and patient care while positively impacting the Hampton Roads community. Way to go, Dr. Baldassari! Thank you for your continued dedication.
|
Physician Education and Information |
10th Annual Eastern Pediatric Trauma Conference
|
Friday, May 29, 2026 | 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Waitzer Hall
|
|
|
|
The CHKD Pediatric Trauma Conference is a one-day accredited pediatric course that is designed to provide knowledge and skills related to pediatric trauma from content experts. In addition, we seek to enhance our community and pediatric colleagues’ ability to manage pediatric trauma cases. We will provide presentations on pediatric trauma along with structured didactic sessions to support comprehensive learning. The conference will provide various learning methodologies presented by experts in the areas of pediatric trauma.
|
|
| |
|
Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn Series |
|
|
|
Vaccination: The Balance of Risks and Benefits to Optimize Outcomes
|
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual
|
|
|
|
|
Presenter: Eric Engstrom, MD, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, CHKD
This CHKD Provider Relation CME Lunch & Learn session reviews the history of vaccine development and implementation, outlines the fundamentals of vaccine development and regulatory requirements, and examines the overall impact of vaccines on public health. It also highlights recent changes to vaccination recommendations and addresses common parental questions and concerns.
|
|
|
|
"POTS" - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
|
Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual
|
|
|
|
| Presenter: Tracy Alderson, MD, Pediatric Cardiology at CHKD
This CHKD Provider Relation CME Lunch & Learn session features a case-based review of orthostatic intolerance and nonsustained tachycardia. This session will walk through key differential diagnoses, review diagnostic criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and outline a practical pre-referral workup designed to streamline cardiology consultation and support efficient, informed referrals.
|
|
|
|
View Past Lunch & Learn Sessions |
|
|
|
If you were unable to attend a session, recordings are available on our video playlist.
|
|
| |
|
1st and 4th Monday of the Month | 12-1 p.m. | Brickhouse Auditorium
|
|
|
Pediatric grand rounds, sponsored by the EVMS Department of Pediatrics, part of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, are offered biweekly to faculty, community faculty, residents, medical students, and other healthcare professionals. Come and learn from local and national clinical experts. All participants receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™ for attending.
|
|
| | |
Resources for Patients and Families |
|
|
|
May highlights key national observances aligned with our shared commitment to children’s health and safety. Please join us in supporting these important causes:
|
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
601 Children's Lane | Norfolk, VA 23507 US
|
| |
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|