Images in Clinical Urology
Taser-Related Testicular Trauma
Katherine Theisen, Rick Slater, and Nathan Hale
The Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle (Taser) is an electrical weapon designed as a nonlethal means to subdue violent
or fleeing subjects. Several reports have been published on the safety and efficacy of, as well as injury profile from, police
Tasers. Documented urologic involvement is rare. The sequela of an electrical current from a Taser gun to the testis in
regard to both short- and long-term functions is unknown. Herein we present a case of penetrating trauma to the scrotum
from a Taser dart. UROLOGY 88: e5, 2016. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
A
24-year-old male was brought to the emergency
department by police after being subdued with a
Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle (Taser). The barb
penetrated his right hemiscrotum, which was manually extracted.
Scrotal ultrasound revealed a 1.5-cm tract in the
mid-right testicle with adjacent hemorrhage (Fig. 1). Scrotal
exploration revealed a puncture through the tunica albuginea
with underlying hematoma. A small amount of
thermal damage was noted at the puncture site but no immediate
damage to the intratesticular contents.
Understanding the mechanism of injury begins with
exploring the basic design of the Taser. Tasers provide nonlethal
means of subduing subjects. Two metallic darts are
fired (one propelled straight while the other at an 8° downward
angle). The barbs are 4 mm in length with a fishhook
at the distal aspect (Fig. 2)1
and travel at a velocity of
180 ft/second, designed to penetrate clothing and skin. Tasers
have a maximal voltage output of 50,000 V with a highfrequency
but low-amplitude current.2
Rapid electrical pulses
cause involuntary muscle tetany and incapacitation,3
but
theoretically do not cause electroporation (cell membrane
damage) or thermal injury.4
Fortunately, Taserrelated
scrotal trauma is rare with only 1 previously reported
case.5
References
1. Roberts JR. In focus: the medical effects of Tasers. Emerg Med News.
2008;30:11-14. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
2. Bleetman A. Introduction of the Taser into British policing. Implications
for UK emergency departments: an overview of electronic weaponry.
Emerg Med J. 2004;21:136-140.
3. Jenkinson E, Neeson C, Bleetman A. The relative risk of police useof-force
options: evaluating the potential for deployment of electronic
weaponry. J Clin Forensic Med. 2006;13:229-241.
4. Wolfe G. Electrical injury: are Tasers the new wave?, The University
of Toledo; 2008.
5. Ordog GJ, Wasserberger J, Schlater T, Balasubramanium S.
Electronic gun (Taser) injuries. Ann Emerg Med. 1987;16:73-78.
Financial Disclosure: The authors declare that they have no relevant financial
interests.
From the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Address correspondence to: Nathan Hale, D.O., University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,
5200 Centre Avenue, Suite 209, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. E-mail: Halene@upmc.edu
Submitted: November 2, 2015, accepted (with revisions): November 5, 2015
Figure 1. Ultrasound of the right testicle revealing penetrating
trauma.
Figure 2. Example of Taser barb.
e5http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2015.11.011
0090-4295
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved.