Ultrasonography of scrotal trauma

Ultrasound has emerged as the diagnostic imaging modality of choice in the evaluation of patients with scrotal trauma. Most studies of testicular rupture show great accuracy with virtually no instances of false-positive or false-negative diagnoses. Ultrasonography is capable of differentiating between scrotal hematoma, extratesticular fluid collections, posttraumatic torsion testis, posttraumatic epididymitis, epididymal hematoma, as well as testicular rupture. The differentiation of hematocele from pyocele or exudative hydrocele is generally not possible. In patients with suspected testicular rupture, an accurate diagnosis followed by prompt surgical repair is the key to preservation of testicular function. Ultrasound is an extremely useful adjunct to the physical examination in cases of blunt scrotal trauma both for the differential diagnosis of the enlarged scrotum and for determining the necessity for emergency surgery.     

The use of real-time ultrasound in the management of scrotal trauma

27 patients were studied with real-time ultrasound following severe scrotal trauma. 22 (81.5%) had ultrasound features of scrotal trauma and, of these, five (18.5%) had signs of testicular rupture. Four of these five patients underwent surgery following ultrasound. This confirmed the diagnosis of rupture and the tests were repaired. Ultrasound should be offered to all patients presenting with scrotal trauma to select patients with testicular rupture for surgery.     

闭合性阴囊损伤的CT诊断

目的确定闭合性阴囊损伤的ＣＴ诊断价值。方法 对２３例闭合性阴囊损伤的ＣＴ资料及临床处理进行回顾性分析。结果 根据睾丸失去正常的卵圆形结构，白膜中断，睾丸组织突出或睾丸断片分离等征象，ＣＴ正确诊断睾丸破裂８例；ＣＴ亦能显示阴囊壁血肿，鞘膜积血，白膜下血肿，睾丸实质血肿，睾丸附睾挫伤，精索及附睾血肿等其他病理改变。１７例手术探查证实ＣＴ显示的各种病理改变与手术病理完全相符。结论 ＣＴ能准确诊断各种类型     

Ultrasound evaluation of blunt scrotal trauma

Eighty patients with blunt scrotal trauma underwent real-time sonography with high-frequency transducers. Sonography showed testicular rupture in 14 patients, testicular hematoma in 8 patients, lesions of the epididymis in 17 cases, and hematocele without an associated lesion of the testicle or the epididymis in 28 patients; 13 examinations were normal. The diagnosis was confirmed at operation in 18 cases and by clinical and sonographical follow-up in 62 cases. Sonography was able not only to distinguish reliably testicular rupture from uncomplicated testicular hematoma (accuracy rate 100%). Characteristic findings in testicular rupture included inhomogeneity of the parenchymal pattern, contour abnormalities, poorly defined margins, and obvious disruption of the echogenic tunica albuginea or fragmentation of the testicle. Correspondence to: W. Buchberger     

Novel method of using angioembolization for treating testicular hemorrhage after blunt trauma

Testicular or scrotal trauma is a rare form of trauma in the United States. Blunt trauma to the testicle can lead to testicular tunica albuginea rupture, testicle contusion, testicle hematoma, testicle torsion and epididymal injury. We report a case of a 48-year-old male patient who presented with right sided scrotal swelling and pain from a motorcycle collision. This turned out to be from a testicular rupture and resulting in a hematoma. The patient''s active bleeding from the right testicular artery was controlled by arterial embolization. Most reported cases of testicular artery bleeds are due to iatrogenic hemorrhage or non-traumatic injuries. Here, we report a rare case of testicular artery bleed due to a blunt trauma from a motorcycle collision. In conclusion, the testicular artery bleed was controlled successfully via testicular arterial embolization, making it a potential option for non-operative management for stable hemorrhage of the testicular artery.     

Traumatic testicular rupture: Multimodality imaging with intraoperative correlate

Traumatic testicular rupture is a rare yet serious condition most commonly seen in penetrating trauma victims (e.g. gunshot wounds or motorcycle collisions) that requires immediate surgical management given its potential complications of hypogonadism and infertility. While ultrasound is the most established modality for diagnosing testicular rupture, trauma patients are usually first evaluated with a trauma protocol computed tomography (CT) exam including the chest, abdomen, and pelvis upon presentation, so it is important to recognize CT findings of testicular injury. We present a novel case in which the suspicion for testicular injury was initially raised based upon CT findings of scrotal hematoma/fluid. These findings were then further characterized with ultrasound and confirmed at surgery. In this case, we provide intraoperative imaging that corresponds clearly to findings seen on both CT and ultrasound.     

Isolated extratesticular hematoma from intraoperative positioning during lumbar spinal surgery

Scrotal injury is present in less than 1% of all trauma-related injuries. Traumatic injuries of the scrotum are most commonly seen in penetrating or blunt injury but may also occur after iatrogenic causes such as in the intraoperative setting. We report a case of an isolated extratesticular hematoma incurred after scrotal trauma from prone intraoperative positioning during lumbar spinal surgery. Ultrasound performed following the procedure revealed an extratesticular hematoma without evidence of coexisting testicular injury. This case highlights an atypical insult to the scrotum and reinforces the need to ensure adequate positioning to prevent this postoperative complication.     

Imaging of the acute scrotum

The scrotum is a superficial structure and clinical examination is frequently not enough for making a specific diagnosis. In acute scrotal pain US can confirm the presumptive clinical diagnosis and provide additional relevant information. In testicular torsion, color-Doppler imaging has a central role since it has become possible to identify it at early stage by showing absence of perfusion in the affected testis before any gray-scale abnormality. Scintigraphy remains a satisfactory alternative in evaluating testicular torsion and should be used when color Doppler is inadequate, raising doubts about the suspected torsion. Diagnosis of torsion of testicular appendages is particularly difficult. Ischemic infarction shows a characteristic pattern at gray-scale and color-Doppler imaging, whereas hemorrhagic ischemia may require MRI. Inflammatory diseases of the scrotum can be easily investigated by echo color Doppler and conventional radiography, and CT can be particularly useful in the detection of gas bubbles. In scrotal trauma, scrotal hematoma, hematocele, intratesticular hematoma, and testicular rupture can be identified using gray-scale US with very good reliability. Magnetic resonance imaging is indicated when a small tear of tunica albuginea is suspected but not visualized on US. Received: 3 May 2000/Accepted: 8 June 2000     

急性阴囊疾病的彩色多普勒超声诊断

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声对急性阴囊病变的诊断与鉴别诊断价值。方法对急性睾丸炎、急性附睾炎、睾丸损伤、睾丸扭转及附件扭转52例急性阴囊疾病的彩色多普勒超声图像进行对比分析。结果本组急性阴囊疾病的超声检查结果与临床最后诊断及手术结果完全一致。本组52例中，急性睾丸炎10例，急性附睾炎16例，睾丸损伤12例，睾丸扭转9例以及睾丸附件扭转5例。结论彩色多普勒超声可作为诊断与鉴别诊断急性阴囊疾病的首选的无创临床检查手段。     

Does color Doppler sonography improve the clinical assessment of patients with acute scrotum?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Our experience concerning the use of color Doppler sonography (CDS) in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotum is reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From July 2000 to July 2005, 155 patients (median 17.2 years) were admitted with a diagnosis of acute scrotum (unilateral in 150 cases, bilateral in 5). Along with a careful anamnesis and the physical exam, all patients underwent a CDS study of the scrotal content using a sonograph GE Logiq 500 with a multifrequency (7.5-10 MHz) linear probe Small Part. The following CDS parameters were evaluated: intensity of the color-power signal on the testicular parenchyma and on the epididymis; systolic peak velocity (SPV) and telediastolic velocity (TDV) in correspondence of the gonadal hilum. Ultrasound and flowmetry parameters registered on the painful testis were compared with those registered on the healthy controlateral testis. The reduction/absence versus the increase of color-power signal in the parenchyma and the reduction/absence versus the increase of SPV and TDV in the centripetal intratesticular arteries were considered presumptive of testicular torsion versus orchiepididymitis. RESULTS: The results only refer to the 150 patients (300 testis) with acute monolateral scrotum. The clinical picture and the physical exam suggested a torsion of the spermatic cord in 40 cases, a spontaneous de-torsion in 5, an orchiepididymitis in 80, a blunt scrotal trauma in 15, a bulky epididymal cyst or a hydrocele in 4 and a testicular pain of unknown etiology in the remaining 6 cases. Standard US was pathological in 95 patients (63.3%); CDS was pathologic in 70 patients and in 42 of them suggested a testicular torsion. Fifty-three patients underwent surgical exploration: among 42 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of testicular torsion, the diagnosis was confirmed in 22 cases, no anomaly was found in 16 cases and in 4 patients a torsion of testicular appendix was found. The rupture of the tunica albuginea was present in six out of seven patients submitted to surgical exploration for previous blunt trauma and the sonographic diagnosis of hematocele was documented in all cases. The single false-negative diagnosis of testicular torsion in CDS occurred in an 18-month-old child. In presence of funicular torsion, the sensitivity and specificity of physical exam and CDS were 100% versus 95.7% and 86.5% versus 85.3%, respectively; sensitivity and specificity of SPV, TDV and color-Doppler signal on the testis were 100% and 94.8% versus 100% and 90.1% versus 95.7% and 90.8%. In the pre-operative assessment of scrotal trauma, the B-mode US showed a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 90%, respectively; the color Doppler analysis has not supplied with additional elements for planning a surgical exploration. In presence of orchiepididymitis, the sensitivity and specificity of the physical exam in association to CDS was equal to 100%. In all patients with torsion of the testicular appendix, physical exam and CDS parameters were within normal limits. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In our experience CDS is an indispensable imaging modality for the clinical assessment of patients with acute scrotum; however, the informations it can afford are operator-dependent and have to be supported by the history and physical exam of the patient. CDS findings constitute probably an important medico-legal support when the necessity of surgical exploration is excluded; anyway, in presence of a clinical suspicion of testicular torsion, even with an apparently normal CDS, the surgical exploration is recommended.     

CT在肾创伤诊断与分类中的价值

目的评价CT在肾损伤的诊断和分类中的价值。方法回顾性分析76例肾损伤的CT表现。结果76例中单纯性肾挫伤9例，单纯性肾内血肿7例，肾挫裂伤24例，单纯性肾包膜下血肿10例，肾撕裂伤21例，肾撕裂伴血肿及尿外渗2例，单纯性肾周血肿3例，合并腹内脏器伤41例，下位肋骨骨折18例。同时，所有患者的肾损伤是依据CT表现分为4大类型。结论螺旋CT能明确诊断肾损伤，并确定损伤类型，为临床制定治疗方案提供重要依据。     

闭合性外伤性睾丸破裂的诊治

本文报告5例闭合性外伤性睾丸破裂病例，结合文献就其发病机制，诊断和治疗进行讨论。     

Scrotal sonography in infants and children

In this review we will attempt to summarize the use of scrotal sonography in infants and children. The material is gathered from the literature and from our own experience of 197 sonograms performed on 175 pediatric patients. Included will be information on testicular development and descent, normal sonographic anatomy, classification of scrotal disease, and the final diagnoses of the sonograms. Scrotal sonography has proven useful in evaluating undescended testes in the inguinal canal and just inside the inguinal ring. It is of limited value when the testes are in the abdomen. Sonography can often distinguish the various causes of nonpainful scrotal masses such as tumors, hydrocele, and meconium peritonitis. Sonography is highly accurate in distinguishing normal from abnormal scrotal contents and in separating testicular from extratesticular masses. However, sonography does have limitations in distinguishing benign from malignant neoplasms or from some inflammatory lesions.

Sonography can be successfully used in the differential diagnosis of the painful scrotum especially with color flow Doppler. Inflammatory diseases that often involve the epididymis can be distinguished from torsion. Torsion of the appendages has been diagnosed.

In cases of scrotal trauma, management decisions are often based on the sonographic findings. Conditions that require surgical management such as testicular rupture or large testicular hematomas can be recognized. Information is included on a variety of miscellaneous conditions such as hydrocele, varicocele, and ambiguous genitalia in which sonography has proven valuable.     

True hermaphroditism: sonographic demonstration of ovotestes

A 15-year-old boy with normal external genitalia presented with severe bilateral gynecomastia, intermittent painful scrotal swelling, and a recent history of scrotal trauma. Ultrasound (US) revealed testicles of normal size with diffusely heterogeneous echotexture due to scattered cysts. Ovotestes were found at surgery and pathologic examination. Bilateral partial gonadectomies were performed. Four months later he had testicular pain and swelling. US revealed bilateral multiseptate cystic masses. After repeat surgery, he is now free of symptoms. The diagnosis of true hermaphroditism and ovotestis should be considered in a phenotypic male adolescent with gynecomastia when testicular parenchyma is heterogeneous at US because of multiple scattered cysts.     

US in the assessment of acute scrotum

Background

The acute scrotum is a medical emergency . The acute scrotum is defined as scrotal pain, swelling, and redness of acute onset. Scrotal abnormalities can be divided into three groups , which are extra-testicular lesion, intra-testicular lesion and trauma. This is a retrospective analysis of 164 ultrasound examination performed in patient arriving in the emergency room for scrotal pain.The objective of this article is to familiarize the reader with the US features of the most common and some of the least common scrotal lesions.

Methods

Between January 2008 and January 2010, 164 patients aged few month and older with scrotal symptoms, who underwent scrotal ultrasonography (US), were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical presentation, outcome, and US results were analyzed. The presentation symptoms including scrotal pain, painless scrotal mass or swelling, and trauma.

Results

Of 164 patients, 125 (76%) presented with scrotal pain, 31 (19%) had painless scrotal mass or swelling and 8 (5%) had trauma. Of the 125 patients with scrotal pain, 72 had infection,10 had testicular torsion, 8 had testicular trauma, 18 had varicocele, 20 had hydrocele, 5 had cryptorchidism, 5 had scrotal sac and groin metastases, and 2 had unremarkable results. In the 8 patients who had history of scrotal trauma, US detected testicular rupture in 1 patients, scrotal haematomas in 2 patients .Of the 19 patients who presented with painless scrotal mass or swelling, 1 6 had extra-testicular lesions and 3 had intra-testicular lesions. All the extra-testicular lesions were benign. Of the 3 intra-testicular lesions, one was due to tuberculosis epididymo-orchitis, one was non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and one was metastasis from liposarcoma

Conclusions

US provides excellent anatomic detail; when color Doppler and Power Doppler imaging are added, testicular perfusion can be assessed

     

彩色多普勒超声在急性阴囊肿痛诊断中的应用

目的评价彩色多普勒超声(CD)在急性阴囊肿痛诊断及鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法应用CD对53例急性阴囊肿痛患者进行急诊检查。观察阴囊内容物的形态、回声、结构及血流变化。经手术或临床治疗随访证实诊断。结果53例阴囊急症中,37例经非手术治疗及超声随访证实诊断,16例经手术及病理确诊。CD诊断准确率98%(52/53)。其中,睾丸扭转92%(12/13),睾丸、附睾炎100%(28/28),阴囊外伤100%(9/9),阴囊皮肤感染100%(3/3)。结论CD不仅能够区别睾丸扭转和炎症,并能鉴别肿瘤与炎症,还可评价阴囊外伤的程度及预后,因而它可作为诊断急性阴囊肿痛的首选方法。     

急性阴囊闭合性损伤的磁共振成像与彩色多普勒超声诊断

目的探讨磁共振成像（magnetic resonance imaging,MRI）与彩色多普勒超声在急性阴囊闭合性损伤中的诊断价值。方法收集急性阴囊闭合性损伤患者8例,所有病例全部经MRI及彩色多普勒超声检查,回顾性分析及比较MRI及彩色多普勒超声图像。结果8例急性阴囊闭合性损伤患者中,MRI示睾丸损伤出血8例（其中自膜下少量积血2例）,睾丸增大、阴囊肿大皮肤增厚、鞘膜积液8例,白膜毛糙3例,附睾增大5例（其中附睾损伤出血3例）,腹股沟区淋巴结肿大4例。彩色多普勒超声示睾丸损伤出血6例,睾丸增大6例,阴囊肿大、皮肤增厚8例,鞘膜积液6例,白膜异常未见,附睾增大2例,腹股沟区淋巴结肿大未见。结论MRI能清楚显示急性阴囊闭合性损伤,是目前诊断急性阴囊闭合性损伤的精确影像检查方法。     

MRI对阴囊闭合性损伤的诊断价值

目的 :探讨MRI对阴囊及其内容物闭合性损伤的诊断价值。方法 :对 11例急性、亚急性阴囊闭合性损伤患者 ,行MRSET1WI、FSET2 WI横断面、冠状面、矢状面扫描。结果 :阴囊增大皮肤增厚 9例 ,鞘膜积液 10例 ,白膜下血肿 3例 ,睾丸挫伤出血 8例 ,睾丸白膜破裂 3例 ,外伤后睾丸萎缩 2例。结论 :MRI是检查阴囊闭合性损伤 ,诊断睾丸受伤程度及疗效评价精确的影像学检查方法。     

Scrotal trauma: a cause of testicular atrophy.

Scrotal trauma is often mentioned as a cause of testicular atrophy yet there have been few studies documenting the effect of scrotal trauma on testicular size months or years following injury. We performed clinical and sonographic examinations in 10 patients who had suffered blunt scrotal trauma. A significant reduction in volume of the injured testis was observed in 5/10 cases at follow-up sonography. In two cases the affected testis was heterogeneous and colour flow Doppler examination showed reduced flow. In three cases the testis was homogeneous but reduced in volume and in the remaining five cases the affected testis appeared normal. We conclude that testicular atrophy is a sequel of scrotal trauma and occurred in 50% of patients in this study.