High platelet distribution width can independently predict testicular survival in testicular torsion among patients with steady-state sickle cell anemia

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of platelet volume indices (PVI), such as mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit (PCT), as prognostic indicators of testicular viability in torsion patients with steady-state sickle cell anemia (SCA) who underwent surgical exploration. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with SCA with testicular torsion and 46 male control subjects were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography before surgery, and PVI (MPV, PDW, and PCT) values were measured in all participants. Symptom duration and testicular volume were also recorded. RESULTS: The testicular salvage rate in patients with SCA was 73% after surgery. Analyses showed that MPV, PDW, and PCT values were significantly higher in torsed SCA as compared with controls (p<0.05). Orchiectomy in patients with SCA showed significantly higher MPV, PDW, and PCT values than the orchiopexy group (p<0.05). The MPV values of orchiectomy patients showed a higher significant cut-off of ≥11.5 fL, which is higher than in torsed patients without SCA, as an indicator of testis survival. PDW also demonstrated a higher significant cut-off of ≥12.7 fL for detorsion outcomes in patients with SCA. Symptom duration of less than 7 hours was also significantly correlated with orchiopexy (p≤0.001). Univariate analysis showed that higher MPV, increased PDW, and symptom duration were indicative of the outcome of testicular detorsion in SCA. Multivariable analysis showed that increased PDW and symptom duration are prognostic parameters for testicular viability in SCA. CONCLUSION: Increased PDW and symptom duration can be used as parameters for predicting testicular detorsion outcomes in patients with steady-state SCA.